Glen Sharpe has been confirmed as the head coach of the Counties Manukau Heat for the upcoming Farah Palmer Cup season.
Sharpe, who coached the team in 2024, returns for a second season at the helm as the Heat look to build on their semi-final exit last year.
He will head up a coaching group that includes long-serving Heat player Hazel Tubic, ex Steelers player Sione Sione and former Heat representative Langi Veainu as assistants.
Sharpe is looking forward to taking the next step with the team in 2025.
“The opportunity to reconnect with the players from last year, reconnecting with Hazel and getting the chance to work with her again and just looking at the girls from where we left off last season,” he said of what is driving him.
“I tend to coach from a position of empathy and understanding, trying to get to know the players and what their needs are to get my message across.”
Sharpe, who had been coaching in Canada prior to his appointment last year, said the women’s game is coming ahead in leaps and bounds and he is proud to be playing a part in that growth.
“Being recognised for who they are as athletes and what they can provide to the sport in general and not just be put on as an after-thought,” Sharpe said.
“Women’s rugby is leading the way across the globe.”
The Heat begin their FPC campaign with a home game against the Bay of Plenty Volcanix on August 10 at Navigation Homes Stadium.
