The Wests Tigers have confirmed the coaches charged with leading the club’s Harold Matthews Cup (U17) and SG Ball Cup (U19) programs for 2026.
The club’s junior representative programs – which feature teams for both Balmain and Western Suburbs – will be guided by a collection of experienced hands across the Head Coach, Assistant Coach and Skills Coach roles.
Wests Tiger #87 and 2005 Premiership winner, Pat Richards will take the reins of Western Suburbs Harold Matthews side, having previously been involved in mentoring outside backs along the club’s Pathway.
Richards will be assisted by Premiership-winning teammate and Wests Tiger #15, John Skandalis, a figure synonymous with rugby league in the southwest. Skandalis’ experience will prove invaluable to young forwards coming through the club’s Pathway.
Nathan Lakeman will continue in his role with the Magpies SG Ball side, having finished just one win outside the top eight in 2025.
The Balmain Tigers SG Ball set up will be led by New Zealand international and Premiership winner, Roy Asotasi. The former prop has been working in the physical performance space since his retirement, as well as coaching roles with the Coogee Dolphins and within the Bulldogs Pathways. Asotasi brings a wealth of knowledge from elite level environments for the next wave of talent from the club’s Inner West catchment.
Asotasi will be joined on his coaching staff by Wests Tiger #115 Tim Moltzen, with the former playmaker set to work with the side’s halves and outside backs.
Balmain’s Harold Matthews side will also have a new coach in Andrew Kazzi, with the former Lebanese international assuming the Head Coaching role having served as an Assistant in 2025, in addition to an Assistant Coach/Trainer role with the Wests Tigers Jersey Flegg during their most recent campaign.
Kazzi – along with Pat Richards – will also coach within the Wests Tigers Cubs Program, an important initiative connecting the club’s multiple catchments, designed to help players transition to the next phase of their rugby league development across multiple age groups.
These latest appointments inject significant NRL playing experience into the club’s junior coaching ranks, as it continues to align and strengthen its Pathways across the Inner West and Southwest.
Further appointments into specialist coaching and support roles for each program will be confirmed in the coming months.
Wests Tigers Head of Pathways, Bronson Harrison said this latest series of appointments were significant in the direction of the club’s junior programs.
“We’re really pleased to have secured the services of some talented young coaches, but more importantly people who embody the values of our club,” Harrison said.
“The quality and strength of our Pathway both next year and beyond is heavily influenced by the coaching and mentorship our players are exposed to, we’re very happy with the variety of coaches who will be working across our programs in 2026.
Bronson Harrison Head of Pathways
“We’ve been able to attract former players who have been at the very top of our game, the expertise and advice they can provide to our young players will be invaluable. We’ve also brought in coaches with strong connections to the Wests Tigers and our catchments, which is important for the role these programs play in the community.”
Pathway Coaching profiles:
Pat Richards: An NRL Premiership winner with Wests Tigers in 2005, Pat Richards was a tall and powerful winger. Richards played 119 NRL matches for Wests Tigers and Parramatta, as well as 218 Super League matches for Wigan and Catalans. Richards time in England was also filled with success, winning two Super League titles and two Challenge Cups with Wigan.
Nathan Lakeman: Nathan Lakeman will remain the Wests Magpies SG Ball Cup Head Coach in 2026. Lakeman played for Wests Magpies in 1996 before moving into coaching. Nathan has also spent time in the Bulldogs Pathways coaching setup.
Roy Asotasi: A veteran of 217 NRL matches for South Sydney and Canterbury, Roy Asotasi has been renowned for his expertise in building team culture and was frequently deemed as the key on-field contributor to turning the South Sydney Rabbitohs around. In more recent times, Asotasi has coached the Coogee Dolphins, while also spending time with the Bulldogs Pathways in a mentoring role. Roy was a member of Canterbury’s 2004 premiership-winning team and played in 53 Super League matches for Warrington.
Andrew Kazzi: A Lebanese international, Kazzi also donned Wests Tigers colours in the NSW Cup and National Youth Competition. Kazzi was an Assistant Coach for Balmain’s SG Ball Cup side in 2025.
