Steve Georgallis is set to lead Parramatta's NRLW team in the 2024 season, elevating the team's position in the league. The announcement was made by Parramatta on Wednesday, confirming Georgallis as the replacement for Dean Widders, who stepped down as the NRLW foundation coach in September.
In addition to his role with the NRLW team, Georgallis will also serve as the coaching director for the Eels' elite pathways program, a position previously held by former NRL coach Nathan Brown.
This decision follows a review of Parramatta's 2023 NRLW campaign, which concluded with a challenging 1-8 record and a last-place finish. The team faced setbacks during the season, including injuries to key players Elsie Albert and Rachael Pearson and a lengthy suspension for captain Kennedy Cherrington.
Under Widders' leadership, the Eels won five out of 21 games but qualified for the 2022 grand final with a 1-4 record in the smaller six-team competition.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the new role, Georgallis stated, "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 brings a wealth of experience to the position, having previously taken on mid-season coaching roles with the Penrith Panthers in 2011 and the Canterbury Bulldogs in 2020. He has also assisted North Queensland coach Todd Payten for the past three seasons, contributing to the team's preliminary berth in 2022. Additionally, Georgallis coached the Greece national team at the 2022 World Cup.
As a former player, Georgallis made 206 first-grade appearances in Australia and served as the final club captain for Western Suburbs before their merger with Balmain in 2000. The Eels are optimistic about the wealth of rugby league knowledge and experience that Georgallis brings to the team.
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