Highly-regarded Intrust Super Cup coach Aaron Zimmerle will oversee Queensland’s bid for a third consecutive victory over New South Wales in the annual second tier representative fixture in May.
Zimmerle was at the helm of the XXXX Queensland Residents side that beat the NSW Cup representative team 36-32 last year.
The Tweed Heads Seagulls mentor returns with assistant coach Paul Lowe to plot Queensland’s bid for interstate supremacy.
“I’m extremely passionate about this game and the opportunity to coach some of the best players in the Intrust Super Cup,” Zimmerle said.
“Last year was a fantastic experience that I’ll treasure for a long time. It was a big thrill to watch Kyle Feldt kick on later in the season with the Cowboys and to see the likes of Matt Parcell and Mitchell Frei earn NRL contracts after stellar club and representative performances.”
Intrust Super Cup players will have nine rounds to press their claims for a maroon jersey before the May 8 clash at a yet-to-be-confirmed venue in Queensland.
The match is part of the NRL’s representative weekend and will be televised live on Channel 9.
In other coaching appointments announced today, Kurt Wrigley returns to steer the Queensland Under 20s and Josh Hannay takes the reins of the Under 18s from Anthony Seibold.
After back-to-back victories over New South Wales, Kurt Richards will again head up Queensland’s Under 16 interstate campaign.
Brad Donald is also back alongside assistant coach Adrian Vowles to prepare the Queensland Women’s team in their quest to hold the Nellie Doherty Cup for the 18th straight year.
Craig Grauf replaces Mark Shipway as the XXXX Queensland Rangers coach for the match against the NSW Ron Massey Cup representative team at Coffs Harbour in July.
· 2016 Queensland representative positions:
XXXX QUEENSLAND RESIDENTS
Head Coach: Aaron Zimmerle
Assistant Coach: Paul Lowe
Manager: Darren Lingard
Trainers: Jim Wilson, Dean Arbuthnot
Physiotherapist: TBC
QUEENSLAND UNDER 20
Head Coach: Kurt Wrigley
Assistant Coach: Jon Buchanan
Manager: Murray Hurst
Trainers: Matt Barradeen, Chris McKenna
Physiotherapist: TBC
QUEENSLAND UNDER 18
Head Coach: Josh Hannay
Assistant Coach: Steve Sheppard
Manager: Richard Duff
Trainers: Graham Adams, Chris Muckert
Physiotherapist: TBC
QUEENSLAND UNDER 16
Head Coach: Kurt Richards
Assistant Coach: Mick Roberts
Manager: Dave Gatt
Trainers: Gerald Thompson, Craig Harsant
Physiotherapist: TBC
XXXX QUEENSLAND RANGERS
Head Coach: Craig Grauf
Assistant Coach: Mark Ross
Manager: Chris Waters
Trainers: Mark Winton, Matthew Anderton
Physiotherapist: TBC
QUEENSLAND WOMEN’S
Head Coach: Brad Donald
Assistant Coach: Adrian Vowles
Manager: Steve Brown
Trainers: Robyn Tyler, Angela Flack
Physiotherapist: TBC
QUEENSLAND MURRI UNDER 16
Head Coach: Sid Domic
Assistant Coach: Brad Beetson
Manager: Gary Halliday
Trainers: Ron Tasker, Dwayne Kangan