Changes to Lower Grade Coaching Structure
14th April 2015
The South Sydney Rabbitohs and the North Sydney Bears have made a change to its coaching structure with Ben Gardiner moving into the position as Head Coach of the North Sydney Bears’ NSW Cup team, following the departure of Wayne Lambkin. Mr Lambkin has been the Coach of the Bears for the past nine seasons, taking the Club to a NSW Cup Grand Final in 2007 and numerous finals appearances in his time with the Club, but the Rabbitohs and Bears have decided to go in a new direction with its coaching and development structure from this point forward. The Rabbitohs’ under 20s side will now be coached by Troy Finch, who has been the Assistant Coach of the South Sydney Holden Cup side for the past three seasons. Rabbitohs Head Coach Michael Maguire said: “Firstly I’d like to thank Wayne for his contribution over the years and we wish him all the best for the future. “We’ve decided as a group to change the direction around our development pathways and we’re pleased to be able to give a young, up-and-coming Coach like Ben Gardiner a chance to work with both Clubs collectively through the NSW Cup team. “Ben has done a great job with our under 20s side in recent seasons and deserves the chance to step up and guide the Bears at the State Cup level. “Troy now gets an opportunity to take the reins of the under 20s side and we’re very confident that he will do a great job.” North Sydney Bears General Manager Greg Florimo said: “'Wayne has been an integral part of the Bears over the past nine seasons, giving wonderful service to the club and providing support and guidance to those budding NRL players that he has coached. We wish him well with his future endeavours. “We’re looking forward to forging a new pathway with the Rabbitohs and forming closer links with Souths, giving our players a clearer pathway to the NRL. “We’re looking forward to having Ben guide our players and having him work very closely with Michael Maguire and his coaching staff at the Rabbitohs to help ensure the opportunities for North Sydney players to play NRL are in place.”