Seagulls find Wright fit

Tweed sign Kiwi Ferns coach for women’s tilt

TWEED Heads have pulled off a stunning coup to sign Kiwi Ferns coach Kelvin Wright to head their inaugural women’s rugby league program.

The Seagulls last month announced they would be entering their maiden women’s team next year to compete in the South East Queensland competition, preferably in division one.

Their first signing is a monumental one, with Wright the New Zealand women’s national coach.

The 37-year-old said he had been eyeing the opportunity to broaden his horizons and believed the Seagulls, who have been awarded a $300,000 grant to overhaul their Piggabeen home and will be backed by Gold Coast Airport, was the perfect fit.

Tweed recruitment and development manager Ezra Howe proved the starting point for the deal through his New Zealand Rugby League connection with Wright, with the Airport’s support also vital.

“I’ve been really keen on the idea of coming across and experiencing something new and probably expanding my coaching as well,” Wright said.

“The opportunity has really appealed to me. Everything fitted with where they are based and where they are heading. The fact that it’s a new team and the opportunity to start it from scratch and help build that culture was really exciting.

“I just saw it as a really exciting opportunity for myself and for the women who do come and take part in it.

“To be the engineers of it for such a historical club, it’s going to be a fantastic experience.”

The Seagulls are adamant that they don’t plan to poach from neighbours and four-time reigning champions Burleigh but will rather start their own dynasty with women from the southern Gold Coast and northern NSW regions.

“I think that (poaching) defeats the purpose. The women’s space at the moment is about creating pathways and opportunities for players and as a coach too, I want to help develop players,” Wright said.

He didn’t rule out luring a couple of established Kiwi Ferns stars to build the squad around, however.

Wright is due to arrive early next month, with expressions of interest and come-and-try days to follow to build homegrown roster depth.

He will continue in the Kiwi Ferns position, including being at the helm for their October 13 Test against the Jillaroos.