Reon Graham has agreed to a two-year extension as head coach of the Counties Manukau Steelers and will remain at the helm of the side through the 2027 season.
Graham has overseen a significant improvement in the Steelers program, which culminated in successive finals appearances over the past two seasons, while also implementing a concept of picking from within the region and rewarding club form.
His extension for the next two seasons will make Graham one of the longest serving Steelers coaches in the 71-year history of the Union.
After a long stint as coach of club side Patumahoe, Graham has been in charge of the Steelers since 2022 and has taken on more than just coaching the top men’s side. The former Croatian national sevens representative has served as the Director of Rugby for the Union, which encompasses an over-arching view of the high-performance space.
Graham was delighted to continue in a role he is so passionate about.
“I’m very grateful for the opportunity to continue working with the outstanding people we have at Counties Manukau,” Graham said.
“Watching our players and staff grow over the past few years has been incredibly rewarding, and the goal now is to keep building on that momentum.
“There’s a genuine belief in what we’re creating here, and I’m excited to keep driving that development over the next two years.”
