Gemmell takes national HP role
Experienced homegrown coach Brent Gemmell has been appointed as NZ Rugby League high performance general manager,
beginning mid-April.
Gemmell is probably best known for guiding the Junior Kiwis to an emotional 15-14 victory over Australia last October.
But he has a long and distinguished coaching history that also includes stints with NZ Residents, Auckland Vulcans in
NSW Cup, four national titles with Auckland Pride/Lions and two Fox Memorial titles with Auckland powerhouse club Mt
Albert.
His considerable experience coaching at age-group level has also seen him play a hand in guiding some of New Zealand's
leading players through their early careers.
But his contributions to the national high performance programme have not been confined to his sideline achievements.
Gemmell has been part of the NZRL advisory committee, and has also lectured Auckland Level 2 and senior club coaches on
the importance of communication for the past seven years.
He steps down from a position as national investment and business investment manager with DB Breweries, taking up a role
left vacant when former Kiwi Tony Iro became assistant coach with the Vodafone Warriors late last year.
"This is a key appointment in our organisation in terms of representing our core values and guiding some of our
highest-profile programmes," says NZRL chief executive Phil Holden.
"We were looking for someone that was respected in the New Zealand rugby league and we believe we've found him.
"Brent has already been a major contributor to our representative programmes in recent years and will bring that
valuable insight into this new challenge."
Gemmell will be responsible for managing the NZ Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns programmes, but also overseeing all other national
teams and development pathways.
"After several years in the corporate world of sales leadership, and a lifetime of playing and coaching rugby league, I
feel extremely privileged to have been awarded this role as high performance general manager for NZRL," he says.
"I bring a genuine passion for rugby league and experience in the high performance environment, which will serve me well
in the role."
Gemmell will step away from his existing role with the Junior Kiwis coach for their trans-Tasman encounter on the Gold
Coast, May 2, and one of his first tasks in his new job will be to find a successor.
He will take office on Monday, April 13.
ends