Stowers takes love of league to sidelines

COACHING isn’t just a part of Josh Stowers’ life – it is his life.

Stowers coached three local rugby league teams to premiership success during this year’s rugby league season, and he said his passion for coaching is only getting stronger.

Stowers is part of rugby league club Western Lions and he coached the open women’s team and the under-13 side to titles, and he also guided the Townsville Blackhawks women’s team through their unbeaten Foley Shield campaign.

Stowers is an experienced coach and he is a highly-respected A-grade men’s mentor, having coached the Lions during their inaugural Townsville and Districts Rugby League A grade season in 2016.

But it was his desire to help grow the women’s game in North Queensland that took Stowers to a new challenge.

“It’s been an amazing year and I’ve had some excellent support staff and players,” Stowers said.

“I had been coaching the A grade team for a few years, but I wanted to go over to women’s and help out there.

“I’ve learned more about the game and also more about coaching as well, and it’s great to learn more.”

Stowers is a former player and he spent four years playing in the Queensland Cup with Souths Logan, before taking to the field for local clubs Brothers, the Charters Towers Miners and University Saints.

He played under coaches such as Adrian “Happy” Thomson and Murray Hurst during his playing days, and this year he also worked alongside Cowboys legend and Blackhawks under-18s coach Matty Bowen.

“I learned so much about the game from coaches like them, and I’m learning a fair bit more from Matty,” Stowers said.

“He knows so much about the game and he’ll tell something to his players, and I’ll go home and think ‘that was a great point’.

“I’ve been part of league since I was five years old and I love every part of the game, and coaching is one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had.”

Stowers is among the dozens of coaches nominated by Townsville Bulletin readers as being among the city’s best.

Keep an eye on the paper and online as we keep going through the city's outstanding coaches.

Picture: ALIX SWEENEY AMAZING YEAR: Townsville Blackhawks women's coach Josh Stowers, with Mateeka Nielson, Seini Palu-shepperson and Sian Roberts, says he continues to learn about the game through coaching different sides and getting advice from other coaches, such as Cowboys legend Matty Bowen.