Retired Dragons NRLW star Renee Targett will join the club’s pathways system for the upcoming season working with the coaching staff of the St George Dragons Lisa Fiaola Cup and Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership sides.
The 29-year-old has been named the coach’s assistant for the Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership side and, given the Lisa Fiaola Cup season kicks off several months prior, will also assist with the under-17s outfit.
Targett is excited to be continuing her rugby league journey with the Dragons and facing a new challenge head-on.
“I'm so fortunate to have spent time in the elite system and learnt from some incredible people and coaches, so I almost feel a duty to support the growth and development of others in the game and what better way than to do it with the club that has supported me with my professional playing career,” Targett said.
“Coaching with the Dragons gives me the opportunity to experience the game from a different angle, one where I can observe and explain more rather than doing… It's been a great experience.”
Whilst she hopes to act as a mentor for the young women that she will be coaching, Targett is aware that they will not be the only ones soaking in new information.
“I think there is only one ultimate goal when it comes to coaching and it's to help others be the best they can be,” she said.
“I know there's a lot to learn in the coaching realm, so being exposed to a number of different coaches and their styles is helping me develop my own coaching voice, which is what I'm focused on at the moment.”
Having made a name for herself as a gridiron player for the Australian women’s team, Targett joined the Red V prior to their 2021 NRLW campaign and appeared in 15 total games over three seasons before retiring at the end of this past season.
She earned a call-up to the extended NSW State of Origin squad in 2021 and again in 2022 before co-captaining the Philippines women’s side later that year.
She will work alongside Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership head coach Steve Kelly as well as assistants Vai Alaia and Michael Anderson.
At Lisa Fiaola Cup level, she will flank head coach Gary Faafua as well as assistants and trainers Patricia Bell, Zac Rentoul, and Sherwyn Vaha.
Dragons NRLW head coach Jamie Soward has also been making weekly appearances at Lisa Fiaola Cup and Tarsha Gale Cup training sessions.
Targett has already linked up with both sides; the Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership side will meet on a monthly basis until preseason begins in April ahead of a likely mid-July season kick-off whilst the Lisa Fiaola Cup squad will train twice weekly until their nine-round season starts in early-February.
