Steve Folkes Joins Wests Tigers !!

[Ghostdogg]

i think he will retire at the end of next year, he has the aussie job and that will give him more time back in NTH QLD where his wife lives

I hope you're right.

i mean no disrespect to head trainers but folkes is far above being a head trainer, i honestly think he will be our coach from 2011, and next year will folkes getting to know the players the club and input into the clubs future direction

Perhaps this is some sort of 'succession plan'? There has been a lot of them in the AFL recently, assistant coaches continuing to work under a head coach with the promise of the top job in a year or two. Although it would make more sense with a younger assistant coach, not an experienced coach being hired as head trainer.

 

[system]

STEVE FOLKES JOINS WESTS TIGERS
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Wests Tigers CEO Stephen Humphreys is pleased to announce the appointment of former premiership winning player and coach Steve Folkes as the club’s new High Performance Manager.

Folkes will work alongside Wests Tigers Head Coach Tim Sheens and Assistant Coaches Royce Simmons and Peter Gentle in leading the club’s strength and conditioning program. He replaces Cherry Mescia who successfully filled the role since 2003.

“Steve brings a wealth of experience to our organisation. His appointment is the start of a new era for Wests Tigers as we step up across all areas in 2010,’’ Humphreys said.

Following his departure from the Bulldogs at the end of 2008, Folkes spent time as the strength and conditioning coach of the West Indies national cricket team.

Head Coach Tim Sheens said Folkes was the ideal candidate for the role.

“Steve is the man I wanted,’’ Sheens said.

“There is plenty of great talent and skilful players at Wests Tigers and with Steve now here, it will take our High Performance Program to a new level.”

Folkes spent his first day meeting the Wests Tigers players and inspecting the facilities at Concord Oval.

“This is an opportunity for me to work with such an exciting roster of players,’’ Folkes said.

“I’m really looking forward to contributing to the Wests Tigers program in 2010.

“Tim Sheens has an excellent history of success as an NRL coach and it will be a real pleasure working with him, my old mate Royce Simmons, and Peter Gentle

 

[Juro]

Sheens won't retire…get real....Sheens is like my old man....who would have wanted to die on the Golf Course..... Sheens eats and breathes league.....expected him to leave this Earth, at a close game on fulltime......like a game against Manly at the SFS, last month

If there was ever a club to give you a heart attack, it is the Wests Tigers… :laughing:

 

[Ghostdogg]

“His appointment is the start of a new era for Wests Tigers as we step up across all areas in 2010,’’ Humphreys said.

Big statement there, I wonder what else he has planned?

 

[mick2005]

its a move in the right direction ….....

 

[izotope]

definately cannot hurt!

top 2 side now
LOL :smiley:

 

[Ghostdogg]

At least Folkes knows he won't have any KPIs.

 

[alex]

Folkes hopefully will have an influence on the recruitment too. Let's hope he takes on more of a role of assistant coach, who focuses on strength and conditioning, similar to what Royce apparently does with defence.

 

[izotope]

Btw is this our Marquee Signing that Sheens promises every year.

 

[Joel Helmes]

Excellent move by Tim and the Wests Tigers, well done!

 

[Danos]

Very pleased with this. He'll shake things up a bit. Cherry has been great but he's been here since 03'. Folkes will flog the guts out of them in the pre-season and have a lot of input into our forwards. Hopefully he'll be able to build a good rapport with the squad.. maybe succeed Sheens if he moves on or gets the sack.. and yes, I know, you don't need to cut me off and remind the likelihood of either of those things actually happening.

But yes, very pleased.

 

[tiger_one]

I didn't see this coming.

Still, I hope the move is good all round.

 

[RatedRKO]

Imagine Galloway getting even better…. :wahoo:

 

[NJLM78]

Time will tell, but it seems like a good move.

 

[king_sirro]

I would have preferred he came in as defensive coach.

 

[diedpretty]

Last time i checked, Cherry Mescia was not and has never been the 'Head' trainer. Andrew Leeds has been the club's Head trainer since Bryan Hider retired. Mescia has been the Performance Co-ordinator of Wests Tigers since 2004\. Who says Cherry won't be at the club in 2010? Leedsie and Alan Mair have been Wests trainers in 2008-09\. Are one of those two stepping down? Just goes to show that this latest piece of journalism translates to nothing and is extremely mis-leading.

Apparently Cherry has been lured by Noycey to the rorters to replace Ron Palmer

 

[Muffstar]

Btw is this our Marquee Signing that Sheens promises every year.

Nah that was Fulton. I think Folkes not only will strengthen the guys up, I am sure he will have some input into the team and hopefully stiffen up the forwards.

 

[diedpretty]

Its a good move as long as we don't go to Coffs Harbour for a conditioning weekend.

 

[king_sirro]

Does anyone know if Folkes has any specific qualifications for the role? Im sure he's picked up a lot over the years and is still regarded as being very fit, but in this day and age, a head trainer needs modern qualifications that are acquired through some form of study.

 

[diedpretty]

He has been brought in as the Performance Manager whatever they do? I do know Cherry did a lot of the conditioning work - can't be that bad having another very experienced ex coach on staff though and i'm sure Andrew Leeds would probably fill any gaps