Tim Sheens appointed Wests Tigers new head of football to seal stunning return to Concord
Tim Sheens is coming back to Concord with the Tigers confirming the coaching great as the club's new football performance boss with immediate effect.
One of the game's sharpest football minds, Sheens will act as advisor for Tigers players and coaches in a role that focuses on pathway development and planning, recruitment, football administration and club culture.
Sheens, who is the Tigers' longest ever serving head coach, guided the joint venture to its first NRL premiership in 2005 and took them to three finals series during a 10-year tenure that ended in 2012.
Sheens also coached the Australian Kangaroos between 2009 and 2015, before moving to the Super League in 2015 where he took on a role as coaching director at Salford Red Devils followed by coaching stints at Hull KR and Widnes Vikings.
In total the 70-year-old has over 750 games of coaching experience at both club and representative levels, along with an extensive administration experience on his resume, while Sheens became the first non-playing Tigers life member in 2015.
Sheens said he was thrilled to be making a return to the Tigers after almost 10 years.
“I am very much looking forward to returning to Wests Tigers as the new Head of Football Performance,” Sheens said. “This role is extremely exciting as it allows me to work and utilise my experience, especially around pathways, development and talent identification.”
Sheens' return to Concord comes despite a messy exit from the Tigers in 2012, when he was sacked at the end of a disappointing season before taking the club to court.
While his appointment to the head of football department position comes as further reinforcement to Michael Maguire, after the Tigers coach was re-signed to a new two-year deal at the end of last year.
“It’s very pleasing to welcome Tim back to Wests Tigers and see him formally involved with the club again,” Pascoe said.
“Tim knows what it means to be Wests Tigers and has played a major role in shaping all aspects of this club — both on and off the field — to what it is today.
“Having Tim take on this new role will significantly strengthen our football department as a whole. We firmly believe that adding Tim’s experience, knowledge and insight into the game of rugby league will be of huge benefit to Wests Tigers in ensuring sustainability in all aspects of the organisation.”
Maguire was delighted with Sheens' appointment, declaring it another step towards building a sustained culture of success at the Tigers.
“It’s been very pleasing to see the work that has been done in this area already to build longevity and sustained success at the club and it’s great to see the desire and commitment across our entire organisation to ensuring that continues.”
