Summer might belong to cricket, but in the Illawarra, the sound of footy boots is already echoing across the region as the Illawarra Steelers junior rep teams return to pre-season training for the 2026 season.
This year’s crop, which now includes six teams, thanks to the addition of the Andrew Johns Cup (Under 16 boys) and the Laurie Daley Cup (Under 18 boys), features a combination of returning talent, promising new prospects, and a well-experienced coaching staff.
Early training sessions have set a high standard, with players demonstrating the hunger and determination needed to make 2026 a standout year.
Angelina Raula spoke with the head coaches as they prepare for this year’s campaign.
SG Ball Cup U19 Boys | Timing is everything: Timmins
SG Ball (U19 Boys) Head Coach Shaun Timmins enters his third year at the helm with a familiar challenge: taking a strong squad deep into the season and, this time, pushing them all the way.
“We’ve got plenty of faces that have been in and around our system for a few years,” Timmins said.
“And there’s new players. It’s their first time in. So quite exciting.”
The SG Ball team has become known for its consistency under Timmins, reaching the finals in both seasons he has been in charge, but he is the first to admit that timing is everything.
“At the right time of year, you need to be playing your best footy, I think the last couple of years, in the finals, we probably left our worst game to last.”
The mix of returning talent and fresh energy might be the key to making the next step.
“There’s plenty of new faces, guys like CJ Meafou and young Cooper Morrison and Mason Andrews and guys like Ryder Brown, Zane Timmins, there’s going to be a good mix.”
Two weeks in, the message is simple: teach each other, build fitness, and peak when it matters.
Tarsha Gale Cup U19 Girls | Bailey Comes Full Circle
Former Steelers junior Luke Bailey steps into the Tarsha Gale Cup (U19 Girls) head coach role with a quiet confidence after a break from the limelight, in a 269 game career for the St George Illawarra Dragons and Gold Coast Titans.
Bailey’s connection to the Steelers stretches back decades.
“Yeah, I started in ’94, so it’s been a long time. Started Harold Matts all those years ago. I would’ve loved to have someone around to help us, we didn’t really have too much in the way of experienced coaches back then.
“It was more of the dads, or they’d come in and help, but there’s some specialist coaches here”.
He isn’t here to rebuild. He’s here to evolve.
“Yeah, not change it. I’m just here to try and maybe tweak it, improve it, add some experience,” Bailey explains.
Former coach Courtney Crawford, who led the Tarsha Gale team to a premiership victory in 2024, continues to play a vital role as an advisor to Bailey and his new assistant coach, Maddie Studdon.
“We’re playing a bit of good cop, bad cop now. I’m the good guy and she’s (Crawford) whipping the girls.”
With only a third of his roster available for the first two weeks of pre-season training, Bailey knows the real test begins this week when the rest of the squad returns from an enforced layoff after completing their Harvey Norman Premiership commitments.
“I’ll go from 13 players to 30, whole new ball game come Monday.”
Even so, early standouts are emerging.
“We’ve got two girls that stand out for mine, Madison Hobbs and Madison Bullock, they’ve been leading the way.”
But his biggest focus isn’t just performance – it’s belonging.
“I want the girls to love coming to training, enjoy each other’s company, and hopefully that translates to results on the field.”
Harold Matthews Cup U17 Boys | Former Understudy Clapman Takes The Reins
Stepping into the head-coach role for the Harold Matthews squad this season, Jy Clapman knows he has some big shoes to fill.
But as he transitions into his new role, he feels nothing but gratitude for former mentor, Jamie ‘Scissors’ Szcerbanik, and excitement for the journey ahead.
“I feel really privileged, especially with this group of boys,” Clapman reflects.
After spending the past two years as Szcerbanik’s understudy, he has built a strong connection with the team and watched many of the players grow first-hand.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to be with them for a while now. I know them well, and now I get to take the reins in competition.”
Clapman’s coaching resume is already diverse. He’s worked across programs including the Harvey Norman women’s pathways and has served key roles within the junior system.
After working closely with the highly respected Szcerbanik for the past two years, Clapham is full of praise for the Harvey Norman premiership-winning coach, expressing gratitude for the experience he has passed on.
“Jamie really took me under his wing,” he explains.
“He helped me develop not only as a coach but also as a person. He made me feel comfortable and confident enough to step into this role. He’s left me in a good place to take over.”
The squad recently completed a two-day Navy boot camp at HMAS Cresswell in Nowra, a tough but meaningful early test for the group.
“It was definitely an eye-opener for a few of them,” Clapman admits with a smile.
“But the camp wasn’t just about pushing limits. It was about connecting, bringing everyone onto the same page, and building trust in the process. We want the boys to understand what we stand for and put that into practice.”
Taking over after Szczerbanik’s tenure, Chapman is clear that his approach isn’t about changing course but continuing the standards already in place.
“Jamie built a really high standard around what this club stands for,” he says.
“I don’t need to come in and change everything. My plan is to keep driving those same standards and build on the foundation he set.”
Lisa Fiaola Cup U17 Girls | Ashcroft Ready For New Challenge
For Scott Ashcroft, now in his third season with the Steelers, but first as head coach of the Lisa Fiaola Cup U17 Girls, 2026 feels like a return to his roots and what matters most.
“I grew up supporting the Steelers, a lifetime of rugby league in the Illawarra,” Ashcroft says.
Ashcroft experienced success as Courtney Crawford’s assistant with the Tarsha Gale squad, where they enjoyed an undefeated run to a premiership and a minor premiership.
However, Ashcroft understands taking on the head coaching role presents a different challenge entirely.
“They’re all very young, very keen, limited rep experience. So, we’ve sort of got to deconstruct them a little bit and then reconstruct them.”
Ashcroft says he will draw heavily on his background as a teacher in an all-girls school.
“I’ve got a pretty good understanding of girls and what makes them tick, you’ve got to meet the girls where they’re at.”
With his recent coaching and teaching experience, Ashcroft is confident that he can shape the team’s identity in the coming weeks.
“The systems and structures in place with the Steelers are quality, top shelf.
“So, it’s just about making some minor adjustments to suit the individual skills and talents of the team”.
Laurie Daley Cup U18 Boys | Sergeant-Wilson’s Call To Arms
Adam Sergeant-Wilson enters his second year as coach of the premiership-winning Laurie Daley Cup (U18 Boys) with enthusiasm and a clear focus on player development, fostering a strong culture, and maintaining professionalism.
After guiding the team, known as the Illawarra South Coast Dragons, to last year’s title, and several players through the junior pathways into SG Ball and Jersey Flegg, Wilson says the privilege of coaching the region’s emerging talent continues to drive him.
“It’s a real honour to coach these guys and see them move through the pathways,” he says.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing what this new group can do.”
“We’re only two weeks into pre-season, so the focus is on getting skills up to speed and making sure our basic defence and catch-and-pass are sharp,” he says.
“It’s about building good habits early.”
Sergeant-Wilson will lean on two players returning from last year’s premiership-winning side: centre Sonny Jamieson, a standout in their grand final run, and Max Van Loo, who Wilson believes is primed for growth after a full year in the system.
The 2025 Australian Schoolboys head coach hopes that a mix of enthusiasm, structure and development-first coaching will set the tone for another strong campaign.
“We just want to keep the boys excited, engaged and working hard,” Sergeant-Wilson says.
“If we do that, we’ll give ourselves every chance.”
Andrew Johns Cup U16 Boys | History Beckons For Atallah
For Abed Atallah, stepping into the Steelers coaching ranks with the Andrew Johns Cup (U16 Boys) marks a refreshing new chapter, one that goes back to the fundamentals of development.
After a decade with the Shellharbour Sharks, including four Grand Final appearances and netting a first grade premiership in 2018, he now turns his attention to 15–16-year-olds taking their first steps into representative footy.
“Hopefully I can help prepare these boys for their next steps, this is their first representative team in the system.”
Two weeks in, and he’s already impressed.
“It’s been good. Really enjoyable. It’s a good feeling amongst the group, everyone’s got a smile on their face.”
Atallah is clear: development comes first, but ambition is always alive.
“We’re here to develop these young men, but in saying that, we want to win as well.”
And history offers an opportunity.
“The goal will be to take out the Andrew Johns championship. I don’t think any South Coast team has done that previously.”
With all the experience and fresh faces in tow, the Steelers have the makings for a successful 2026 campaign.