ST GEORGE Illawarra Dragons have extended the contract of premiership-winning Byron Bay coach Nathan Cross to lead its NRL women’s side for another two seasons.<\/p>\n
Cross inked a new deal at the Dragons after coaching the women’s team for the first time in 2025.<\/p>\n
He was the last coach to lead the Byron Bay Red Devils first grade men’s team to a premiership in 2008 and has almost two decades of experience at senior level.<\/p>\n
“It’s an enormous honour to coach this club and I’m so pleased to be extending,” Cross said.<\/p>\n
“There’s a lot to be excited about over the coming years.<\/p>\n
“We have such a proud rugby league area at our disposal and a successful pathways system.<\/p>\n
“We had a host of girls progress up to NRLW level this past season and show plenty of promise.<\/p>\n
“I’m looking forward to the squad’s continued development and building this club back into an NRLW heavyweight.”<\/p>\n
Cross grew up on the Northern Rivers and finished high school at Trinity Catholic College, Lismore in 1997.<\/p>\n
The 46-year-old has worked in pathways roles at junior and senior level and had a second stint as coach at Byron Bay in 2018.<\/p>\n
Since then, he has gone on to be an assistant coach of the Queensland women’s State of Origin team in 2023 and 2024.<\/p>\n
Series wins put him on the radar for the Dragons job, who were keen to lock him down for a further two years once the season finished.<\/p>\n
“We felt it was important for the stability and direction of the club’s women’s program that Nathan’s contract was extended,” CEO Tim Watsford said.<\/p>\n
“He’s had a big impact on the club since arriving at the end of last year and has helped ensure that all involved our women’s program are aligned and growing together.<\/p>\n
“His vision is critical to the path we are on as a club, and we have full confidence in his ability to lead this club into the future.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ST GEORGE Illawarra Dragons have extended the contract of premiership-winning Byron Bay coach Nathan Cross to lead its NRL women’s side for another two seasons. Cross inked a new deal at the Dragons after coaching the women’s team for the first time in 2025. He was the last coach to lead the Byron Bay Red […]<\/p>\n