The Parramatta Eels has added to the structure of the football department and appointed new staff for the upcoming 2019 season.
Michael Potter:
The Parramatta Eels Club is pleased to announce that former Newcastle Knights Assistant Coach, Mick Potter, has joined the Club as an NRL Development Coach. Mick will work alongside existing NRL Assistant Coaches, Steve Murphy and David Kidwell, under the direction of Head Coach, Brad Arthur.
Parramatta Eels Club CEO Bernie Gurr said, "We are very pleased to welcome Mick to the Eels; Mick's extensive coaching experience will be a valuable asset to Brad and our team."
Junior Representative Program:
In addition, the Club has strengthened its commitment to being a Development Club with two new full time positions being added to our Junior Representative Program, which comprises of our Jersey Flegg team (Under 20), SG Ball team (Under 18), Harold Matthews team (Under 16), Tarsha Gale (Under 18 Girls) & our Eels Academy teams. Joey Grima has been appointed as the the Elite Pathways Coaching Director and Elliott Taylor will be the Elite Pathways Strength and Conditioning Coordinator.
Having dedicated full time resources for the Parramatta Eels Junior Representative Program ensures a consistency of philosophy across the entire Club.
Bernie Gurr added, "Over the next few years we plan to increase the percentage of Players in our NRL squad who graduate from our Junior Representative Program and the best way to do that is to invest in quality people to contribute to our elite pathways system."
"Joey Grima is an outstanding person to lead the coaching component of our Junior Representative Program and will work with Head Coach, Brad Arthur, to ensure that consistency of football approach across all grades within our Club. Elliott Taylor will manage the physical preparation of our Players in the Junior Representative Program, working under the overall direction of our NRL Head of Performance, Lachlan Wilmot."
Wentworthville Magpies Coach:
Robert "Rip" Taylor has been appointed as the new 2019 coach of the Wentworthville Magpies 2nd Grade ISP team, a joint venture between the Parramatta Eels and the Wentworthville Magpies. Rip coached the Wyong Roos ISP team in 2018 and takes over from Nathan Cayless who has accepted an Assistant Coach role with the New Zealand Warriors.
Other Football Department Staff appointments:
- Scott Fraser has been appointed Head Physiotherapist
- Brendan Inkster is the new Rehabilitation Coach
- Alex Rooke is the new Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach