SGNRL Appoints Elite Coaching Panel for the Singapore Sunbirds

Following the official naming of the Women’s National Team, the Singapore National Rugby League (SGNRL) is pleased to announce a high-caliber coaching and high-performance staff to lead the Sunbirds. 

Leading the program as Head Coach will be Phil Browne, who brings a wealth of international leadership and playing experience to the role. A former player for the Fiji Bati, Browne’s distinguished career includes serving as Team Manager for the Fiji Bati and the Singapore Memerang and team liaison for the USA Hawks at the 2017 World Cup. His influence on the sport extends globally as a founder of Try Tag Rugby in the United Kingdom.

Supporting Browne as Assistant Coaches are Matt Harris and Steve Berryman. Both coaches bring a deep understanding of the game’s fundamentals from their own playing days in the Australian lower grades – Harris with the Balmain Tigers and Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, and Berryman also with the Sea Eagles. Furthermore, the pair possess significant experience within the elite Australian pathways, specifically through their involvement with the St George Dragons Lisa Fiaola Cup team. Their expertise in developing top-tier female talent will be instrumental as the Sunbirds transition into a new era of competitive international play.

In a major boost to the team’s athletic standards, Ron Palmer has been appointed as the Sunbirds’ Trainer. Palmer is one of the most respected figures in the sport, currently serving as the High Performance Manager for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs NRLW team. His career is defined by a 24-year tenure as the Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Sydney Roosters, followed by senior performance roles at the Gold Coast Titans, Penrith Panthers, and Parramatta Eels. Most recently, he served as the Performance Coach for the Wests Tigers through the end of the 2023 season.

Palmer’s pedigree extends to the highest levels of the game, having served on the coaching staff for both the New South Wales State of Origin team and the Australian national side at the representative level. His involvement ensures that the Sunbirds will be prepared with the elite physical conditioning required to compete at the summit of the sport.