The Western Clydesdales have appointed Head Coaches for the 2022 QRL Elite Competition season.

Excitement is building for the 2022 season and beyond as the club has returned to competing under the Clydesdales name.

The appointment of a strong line-up of Head Coaches builds that excitement as the Clydesdales prepare for a big year.

Western Clydesdales Head Coaches for 2022:

• Under 21 Hastings Deering Colts: Blake Mara
• Under 18 Mal Meninga Cup: Brendan Wilson
• Under 16 Cyril Connell Challenge: Scott Schultz
• Under 19 Women: Russell Jones

Mara is excited about the opportunity to build a strong club culture under the Clydesdales name and is keen to mentor the best under 21 talent from across the south-west.

He is building an impressive array of experience in coaching and mentoring, and is pleased to have the opportunity to build on that with the Clydesdales.

Wilson returns as Under 18 Mal Meninga Cup coach after also guiding the colts for much of 2021, and Jones is back with the under 19 women’s squad after a successful inaugural campaign this year.

Schultz joins the Clydesdales coaching line-up with the under 16 Cyril Connell Challenge squad and brings a wealth of experience having previously coached a range of junior and senior teams across the Darling Downs.

“We’re excited to announce Blake, Brendan, Scott and Russell as our Head Coaches for 2022 as they each boast extensive knowledge of our game,” Clydesdales Chairman Michael Burns said.

“The move to play under the Clydesdales banner again has created plenty of interest and excitement in what we’re trying to achieve as a club. Our Head Coaches for 2022 are the right people to lead our squads as we build for success on the field and off it.”

The coaches are now finalising plans for selection trials and more information on those will be announced soon.