The North Tamworth Bears
2026 Coaching staff
The North Tamworth Bears are gearing up for a strong 2026 season, backed by a coaching team stacked with experience, commitment, and genuine passion for the club.
Across all grades, our coaches bring a balanced mix of knowledge, player development focus, and steady leadership. Their motivation and drive help create an environment where players feel supported, challenged, and proud to wear the Bears colours.
With a united approach and a clear vision for the year ahead, our coaching staff is ready to guide the club through another rewarding season.
First Grade
Leading the way in the new year, we welcome Ryan Ingram and Mitch Sheridan as our 2026 co-coaches. Backed by a powerhouse support crew, Brad McManus, Richard Ingram, Scott Blanch, and Michael Schmiedel, the Bears' coaching team brings extensive experience on both sides of the whistle. Between them, they’ve coached and played in multiple premierships, giving our club a rock-solid foundation of knowledge, leadership, and winning standards.
Reserve Grade
The North Tamworth Bears are excited to announce Chris Hunt as our 2026 Reserve Grade Coach, supported by an experienced team of assistants.
Chris brings an incredible 26 years of first grade football experience and an outstanding record of success, including eight premierships and a Clayton’s Cup victory. Having also represented across several country regions throughout his career, Chris’s knowledge and leadership are second to none.
Under 18's
Jamie brings a wealth of experience to the role, having coached with the Collegians Junior Rugby League Club for seven years, guiding a talented group of players right through to the Under 18’s level.
Joining Jamie will be a strong coaching team ready to help our young Bears develop their skills and enjoy their footy!
Women's Tackle
We’re thrilled to announce that Jack Rumsby will be returning as the Women’s Tackle Coach for 2026!
Jack did a fantastic job in his debut coaching season, which was also the first ever Women’s Tackle season in Group 4. His great knowledge of the game, strong leadership, and focus on developing player skills helped set a solid foundation for the team’s future. We’re excited to see the continued growth of our women’s program under Jack’s guidance next season!
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Ladies League Tag
Paul has been a valued part of the Bears family for years, most recently serving as our League Safe for the past two seasons. He’s built strong relationships within the squad, brings great footy knowledge, and is deeply committed to the growth and success of our League Tag program.
We’re pumped to have him step into this role and lead the team into a massive 2026 season!