Strong coaching unit for Sea Eagles women's team
When it comes to experience and support, the new Manly Warringah Sea Eagles women’s rugby league team is in very good hands.
Coach Nik Wolfgramm has assembled a strong coaching staff for the Sea Eagles inaugural season in the U19s Harvey Norman Tarsha Gale Cup.
The Tarsha Gale Cup is the first major step for the club in the creation of a complete Sea Eagles female pathway, with the goal of gaining an NRLW licence.
Wolfgramm has been heavily involved with the Sea Eagles Pathways program for several years, starting in a development role in 2017. He was also a Harold Matthews Cup coach before spending the past three years as an assistant coach of Manly’s Jersey Flegg team.
This year as head coach of the Tarsha Gale Cup team, Wolfgramm is supported by assistant coaches Lisa Fiaola and Steve Berryman, a former Sea Eagles player.
Fiaola represented Australia in rugby union and rugby league and was recognised for her involvement across many levels of the women’s game with the naming of a NSWRL competition after her.
The Lisa Fiaola Cup is a junior competition for girls turning 16 or 17 and is part of the pathway towards the Tarsha Gale Cup.
Fiaolo has also coached Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and North Sydney Bears in the Harvery Norman NSW Women’s Premiership.
“When I got the call asking to be involved in the first Manly women’s rugby league team, I just thought I can’t miss this amazing opportunity,’’ Fiaola said, a former league player for the Forestville Ferrets Club on the Northern Beaches.
“It’s going to be an incredible experience to share this roller coaster of a journey with the girls.
“There will be tough times but when you do get through that and see the positive stuff, it is just really special and you want to be part of it.”
Wolfgramm said Fiaola's knowledge of the women’s game has been invaluable heading into the season.
“Lisa came with a pretty impressive CV. She is a very friendly person with a nice nature but when it comes time to switch that button on where you have got to be assertive, Lisa definitely has that as well,’’ Wolfgramm said.
“It is a real pleasure to have her on our team.”
As for himself, the very humbled and well respected Wolfgramm said it was an honour to be the first coach of the Sea Eagles women’s team.
“We all started off with a blank canvas. The exciting part of all of this is you don’t know what the future holds. To be part of something special like this is great,’’ Wolfgramm added.
“I know the players are buzzing as is all the staff involved in the women’s team. I am so grateful to be involved in this journey.”
The Sea Eagles play the Wests Tigers in their historic opening round match at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Saturday, February 4. Kick-off 1pm.
