RLI are delighted to announce some coaching and management updates specifically for the Ireland U19s team participating in the U19’s European Championships Tournament this September in Italy. Under Head Coach Bernard Westman, the squad will travel to the Bella Italia Sports Village in Lignano Sabbiardoro, near Venice, for the 10 day/ 8 team tournament, competing against the best youth RL talent across Europe.
Bernard Westman, a stalwart of Irish Rugby League, has come up through the playing ranks within IRL – having represented Ireland Students, Ireland U19s, and Ireland A – before making the move into coaching. Westie’s coaching CV has followed a similarly impressive road map; seeing him progress from being head coach to Ireland U16s and Ireland Students, assistant coach with Ireland A and now as Head Coach to Ireland U19s in this Tournament.
Westie will be joined by Assistant Coach Conan Uphill, whose glittering Rugby League CV has taken him from premiership winning teams in his native Australia to Ireland. Conan’s great work with Irish Rugby League includes being player/coach for North Dublin Eagles, Leinster head coach, assistant coach with Ireland A squads and head coach to the RLI development team.
Joining RLI as the Team Manager for the Tournament is Dominc Hastings. Dom’s hails from Huddersfield (The Home of Rugby League) but is a very proud Irishman with his family coming from Mayo and Galway. Dom resides in Warrington (another part of Rugby League’s heartland) where he is heavily involved in the amateur game. Dom has got great experience in rugby administration which will bring enormous benefit to the U19’s. He currently still plays and coaches; from senior teams, to coaching his sons’ junior teams. Dom will play a significant behind the scenes role in making sure the tour is a massive success.