Experienced coach Steve Georgallis will replace Dean Widders as the new head coach of Parramatta’s NRLW team for the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
After a several month search, the Eels confirmed the acquisition of 55-year-old Georgallis on a two-year deal last Wednesday afternoon.
Georgallis has four decades of experience in rugby league both as a player and coach, including most recently spending the last three years with the North Queensland Cowboys as assistant coach.
“I’m really looking forward to connecting with the Eels’ playing group and working closely with assistant coach Kate Mullaly and the rest of our staff to ensure we build a successful football program next season,” Georgallis said.
“Western Sydney is the heart of rugby league and the Parramatta Eels are a big part of that, so it’s very exciting to lead the women’s program and continue to build on the great work that has already been done in that space.”
After reaching the Grand Final in just their second NRLW season, Parramatta finished with the wooden spoon in 2023, which ultimately saw the departure of Widders.
“Steve brings a wealth of rugby league knowledge and experience that we know our NRLW team will greatly benefit from,” Parramatta Eels CEO, Jim Sarantinos said.
“We have made significant investments in our women’s program and we are looking forward to our NRLW program benefiting from the many years of coaching experience and fresh perspective that Steve will bring to the club.”
In addition to his role as NRLW head coach, Georgallis will also be the Coaching Director of Parramatta’s Elite Pathways program, a position that was recently vacated by ex-Knights and Warriors coach Nathan Brown.
Georgallis played 229 games during his career both in Australia and the UK and has also enjoyed a long coaching career, including stints as interim head coach with the Panthers in 2011 and the Bulldogs in 2020, as well as being the current coach for Greece.
The 2024 NRLW season will kick off in July.
Nathan Taylor is Parra News' sports journalist. He also compiles the weekly Chatter on the Box TV column. Nathan is an award-winning journalist, who has worked in western Sydney media for more than a decade.