Former St Helens ace to make return as new Women's head coach

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josie andrews
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Former St Helens ace to make return as new Women's head coach

Post by josie andrews »

The former halfback has turned to the world of coaching.

Matty Smith is set to begin his coaching career at St Helens as the club's new Women's head coach. Rugby League Live understands Smith, a former Saints player who played four times for England, will take control of the Challenge Cup winners next season.

Smith brought an end to his playing career at the end of the season, hanging up the boots following a spell with Widnes Vikings. The former halfback, who won two Grand Finals, a Challenge Cup and Lance Todd Trophy during his career, had spells at St Helens, Wigan Warriors and Catalans Dragons among others during his career.

He has now decided to delve into coaching and will begin in the women's game, leading one of the powerhouse clubs in Women's Super League. As a result, Derek Hardman, the previous incumbent of the role, will become the club's new men's reserve team head coach, a role previously filled by Ian Talbot. He will now solely focus on assisting Paul Wellens, who has become the men's first-team head coach following the departure of Kristian Woolf.

The coaching reshuffle has taken place in an attempt to ensure the club's on-field success continues at all levels, including the women. St Helens have dominated the women's game for years and won the Challenge Cup this year, though they did lose their Super League title after a semi-final defeat to eventual champions Leeds Rhinos.

As for Smith, he now returns to the Totally Wicked Stadium for a third spell. Born in the town, Smith came through the club's junior ranks before making his debut in 2006. After several seasons away he returned in 2017 for two seasons and now returns once again to start his coaching journey.

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... dium=email
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bill.inger
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Joined: Wed Nov 18, 2009 11:34 am

Re: Former St Helens ace to make return as new Women's head coach

Post by bill.inger »

Good luck to the lad. I always had him marked down as a TV presenter to replace McDermott and I think he'll make his mark there in the future.
fozzieskem
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Joined: Sat May 14, 2016 10:54 am

Re: Former St Helens ace to make return as new Women's head coach

Post by fozzieskem »

Yup good luck to him decent bloke.itll be interesting to see how he does
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