Rabbitohs High Performance Manager, Troy Thomson, has today (Wednesday) been named by incoming Queensland Coach Kevin Walters as part of his 2016 State of Origin staff – the Rabbitoh taking on the team’s newly created High Performance role.
In similar fashion to his role at the Rabbitohs, Thomson will oversee training, medicals, and player work-load management – among a host of others duties – in his role.
Thomson’s appointment today comes as part of Queensland’s Coaching and Support Staff announcement for the Maroons, with a total of 12 positions making up the team.
The appointment also brings the number of senior Rabbitohs coaching staff involved in Queensland’s system to two – Assistant Coach Kurt Wrigley having been given the reins of the Queensland Under 20s side earlier this year.
Meanwhile, Manly Sea Eagles assistant Anthony Seibold joins the Queensland coaching team for 2016 as an assistant to Kevin Walters, who also welcomes former champion thrower and QAS senior strength and conditioning coach Chris Gaviglio into the Maroons’ fold.
Rounding out the new faces are two practitioners who have worked with some of the state’s leading sporting athletes and organisations – Dr Matthew Hislop (Sport & Exercise Medicine Physician) and Robert Godbolt (Physiotherapist).
“The staff that we are bringing in are highly credentialed, they know their roles and I’m confident they will do a tremendous job for the players and the people of Queensland,” Walters said.
“I felt the changes were needed just to freshen the place up and to bring in new ideas that will stimulate the players a little bit more.”
Walters paid tribute to outgoing staff Michael Hagan, Jason Hetherington, Dr Roy Saunders and Scott Thornton.
“They’ve been tremendous stalwarts for the Origin team and have played an important part in the Maroons’ success,” he said.
Walters is now looking forward to the start of Camp Maroon in May.
“I really enjoy the hands-on coaching,” the former Brisbane Broncos and Melbourne Storm assistant coach said.
“We have got some really good mentors around the camp as well with Steve Walters, Gavin Allen, Trevor Gillmeister and Allan Langer all still involved.”
QUEENSLAND MAROONS – COACHING & SUPPORT STAFF
Kevin Walters (Coach)
Anthony Seibold (Assistant Coach)
Trevor Gillmeister (Assistant Coach)
Allan Langer (Trainer)
Steve Walters (Manager)
Gavin Allen (Manager)
Troy Thomson (High Performance)
Chris Gaviglio (Physical Performance Manager)
Dr Matthew Hislop (Sport & Exercise Medicine Physician)
Robert Godbolt (Physiotherapist)
Tony Spencer (Trainer)
Michael Hillier (Media)
