The South Sydney Rabbitohs are thrilled to announce their football department coaching structure and new staff appointments leading into the 2025 season.
In line with the announcement made in May, Wayne Bennett has been confirmed as the NRL Head Coach for the 2025 season, extending through to 2027. He will be supported by NRL Assistant Coaches Ben Hornby and Steve Antonelli. Hornby, who began as a Development Coach in 2020 and later served as Senior Assistant Coach, took over as the interim Head Coach midway through the 2024 season. Antonelli returns to the Rabbitohs after a brief period with the Parramatta Eels; he previously coached the Rabbitohs’ NSW Cup side and served as an NRL Assistant Coach.
Club legend John Sutton will continue as Development Coach, mentoring the elite young talent and ensuring alignment across all grades from NRL down to under 17s. A familiar face, former premiership-winning Assistant Coach Wayne Collins, will take the reins as NSW Cup Head Coach in 2025.
Trent Elkin has joined as the new Head of Performance for the upcoming season, bringing extensive experience from various high-performance rugby league programs, including roles at the Bulldogs and Eels. Tom Watkins will also take on the role of Pathways Head of High Performance.
Additionally, Mark Ellison, former Head of Football, will transition to the Head of Recruitment and Retention, focusing on bringing and keeping talented players at Souths. David Furner has been appointed as the Head of Pathways, overseeing talent development from open age down to under 17s and collaborating with Souths Juniors. Tyrone McCarthy will support him as the Pathways Skill Acquisition Coach.
Jason Clark, a former Rabbitohs player and Pathways Wellbeing Manager, has been promoted to Football Manager, working alongside Football Logistics and Facilities Manager Kyle Furner. Rob Capizzi will return to manage Pathways and Women’s Operations, with an eye towards future NRLW team preparations.
The medical and performance team remains stable for the next season, including Chief Medical Officer Dr. Andrew McDonald and Strength and Conditioning Coach Jack Milligan, among others.
This comprehensive coaching change reflects the Rabbitohs’ commitment to excellence and continuous improvement as they gear up for what promises to be an exciting 2025 season. With the stability of experienced leaders and the infusion of new talent, the Rabbitohs are poised for significant achievements in the upcoming years.
In summary, the Rabbitohs’ strategic appointments showcase a strong emphasis on player development, performance optimization, and a vision for a successful future, providing fans with hope and excitement for the season ahead.
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