The South Sydney Rabbitohs are delighted to announce the signing of respected coach Jason Demetriou as Assistant Coach for the next three seasons, with Willie Peters being promoted to an Assistant Coach role and Jarrod Wade being promoted to become the Club's Head of Performance.
Demetriou joins the Rabbitohs from the Brisbane Broncos where he has been the Assistant Coach to Wayne Bennett for the past two seasons.
Demetriou has a decorated coaching résumé, having held NRL assistant coaching roles at the Broncos, St George Illawarra Dragons and North Queensland Cowboys; as well as head coaching roles with the Illawarra Cutters in the NSW ISP competition, the Northern Pride in the Queensland ISC competition and Keighley Cougars in the UK.
Demetriou won an NRL premiership with the Cowboys, NRL National State Championships and State Cup premierships with the Cutters and Pride, as well as a UK Championship One premiership with the Cougars which led Keighley to promotion into the UK Championship.
Peters, a former Rabbitohs player, was the Club's Development Coach and has been promoted to an Assistant Coach role, having previously held NRL Assistant Coach, under 20s and under 18s coaching positions.
Wade was the Club's Head of Strength and Rehab, joining the Rabbitohs at the start of the 2017 season preparations. Wade, who has extensive experience in the NRL and AFL, has been promoted to Head of Performance.
Rabbitohs General Manager of Football, Shane Richardson, sees Demetriou, Peters and Wade as important parts of the support structure around Head Coach Wayne Bennett.
Shane Richardson'We conducted an extensive search and interview process for our Assistant Coach role and Jason was the best candidate," Mr Richardson said.
"Jason is highly regarded as a coach in Rugby League circles and comes highly recommended from coaching counterparts as well as many of the players he coached at Brisbane, North Queensland and St George Illawarra.
"He has the runs on the board as both a head coach at the professional and semi-professional levels of the game, as well as an assistant at the elite levels, both here and in the northern hemisphere.
"Willie has been fantastic for us in the Development Coach role over the past 12 months and he has earned his promotion.
"Jarrod has done a fantastic job since joining us two years ago. He has earned the respect of his peers and the feedback we have received from our players is glowing of his abilities to get the best out of the players on a consistent basis.
Shane Richardson"We're delighted to have Jason, Willie and Jarrod on board, and we know they will give their all in support of Wayne and the team."
Jason Demetriou
| Coaching Role | Assistant Coach for Seasons 2019-2021 |
| Club Coach Appointments | Assistant Coach - Brisbane Broncos (2017-18), Assistant Coach - St George Illawarra Dragons (2016), Head Coach - Illawarra Cutters (2016), Assistant Coach - North Queensland Cowboys (2015), Head Coach - Northern Pride (2013-14), Head Coach - keighley Cougars (2011-12) |
| Coaching achievements | NRL National State Champions (Pride - 2014, Cutters - 2016), NSW ISP Premiers (Cutters - 2016), QLD ISC Premiers (Pride - 2014), Championship 1 Premiers (Cougars -2011) |
| Coaching Awards | NSW ISP Coach of the Year (2016), QLD ISC Coach of the Year (2013), Championship 1 Coach of the Year (2011) |
Willie Peters
| Coaching Role | Assistant Coach |
| Appointments | Under 20s Head Coach - Tigers (2016), SG Ball Head Coach - South Sydney (2015) |
Jarrod Wade
| Coaching Role | Head of Performance |
| Club Appointments | Head of Strength and Rehab - Rabbitohs (2018), Head of Sports Science and Rehab - Rabbitohs (2017), Lead Strength Coach - Eels (2015-16), Head Strength Coach 0 Essendon AFL (2013-15), Rehabilitation Coach - Essendon AFL (2012-13), Head of Strength and Conditioning Coach - West Perth FC (2011-12), Performance Analyst - Geelong AFL (2007-11), GPS Assistant - Geelong (2006-07) |
| Education | Bachelor of Teaching (Primary and Secondary), Physical Education Teaching and Coaching - Deakin University (2007-09), Master of Philosophy - Mphil, Research - Athletic Development - Macquarie University (2016-18), Bachelor of Applied Science, Human Movement - University of Ballarat (2004-06) |
