Williams perfect fit for All Stars coach role
NORTHERN Pride coach Ty Williams made history when he lined up for the Indigenous All Stars in the first NRL All Stars in 2010.
Now, he will have the opportunity to make a bigger impact in what is arguably the most meaningful game on the rugby league calendar.
Williams has been named as an assistant to coach Ronald Griffiths for the Indigenous All Stars team in 2023, which will be the first iteration of the preseason spectacle to be played in New Zealand.
It was a tough and gruelling process which started with a simple application four months ago. He was short-listed, impressed a panel which included league legends Timana Tahu, Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga, and former Indigenous All Stars coach Laurie Daley, then ultimately selected as an assistant for the clash.
Williams is in the midst of running the Northern Pride’s off-season training regimen, as he seeks another run to the Hostplus Cup finals in 2023.
“I probably haven’t had time to process it with everything going on,” Williams said.
“I saw something the other day about myself playing in the first All Stars game and now having the opportunity to coach, and that was pretty cool. It will take a bit of time to sink in.”
Williams was part of the Dreamtime team which played at the 2008 Rugby League World Cup, then became a late inclusion for the inaugural Indigenous All Stars team two years later.
Williams is of South Sea islander descent.
His ancestors were brought to North Queensland, first to Mackay but eventually to Innisfail, where Williams was born, raised, played his junior footy then went on to play 151 games for the Cowboys and three Origins for the Maroons.
Williams has always maintained a strong understanding of his identity and cultural background, which has been an enormous help to the way in which he connects with Indigenous footballers in teams he’s coached since retirement, especially the Pride.
It is at the Pride he’s honed his coaching craft, though this will be among the biggest opportunities of his career.
He and Griffiths, who coaches Newcastle’s NRLW team, are going through film from the past few All Stars clashes to identify areas the team can improve next year.
They are joined on the staff by South Sydney Rabbitohs playmaker Cody Walker, who will be a playing assistant coach.