Wheelchair Coach Greg Brown nominated for Super League Coach of the Year!

02/10/2025

Sheffield Eagles would like to congratulate Wheelchair Head Coach Greg Brown on being nominated alongside Halifax Panthers’ Wayne Boardman and London Roosters’ Tom Coyd MBE for the prestigious Coach of the Year award in the Betfred Wheelchair Super League Awards.

While the award itself went to Tom Coyd MBE, Greg’s nomination is a hugely proud moment for the club, and a well-deserved recognition of the progress made during the Eagles’ debut season in the Betfred Wheelchair Super League. His leadership has shone through in guiding the team to a Challenge Cup semi-final, driving consistent improvements throughout the season, and dedicating himself to the development and confidence of every player in a positive, supportive environment.

Several of the Eagles Wheelchair players took time out to discuss Greg’s contribution this year to mark his nomination and to discuss the impact that Greg has had on them over the course of the year, and in some cases during their time at the club.

“I was really pleased to learn that Greg was nominated for the Super League Coach of the Year” said Zoe Davis, who won the Wheelchair team’s “Most Improved Player” at the recent awards night.

“For me, Greg has been instrumental in my growth as a player this season, providing the kind of leadership and support that goes beyond basic instruction. When I'm on the pitch, I know he trusts me to make the right decisions and execute my job without second-guessing, and even if I do make a mistake, it’s an opportunity to learn.

“That trust culminated in one of the season's personal highlights: being named in the starting five for the all-women's game against Leeds Rhinos. That moment felt like a tangible validation, not just of my own hard work and development, but of his consistent faith in my ability to handle pressure and deliver results when it truly counted!”

It’s a sentiment which is shared by Gareth Ramsey, who joined Sheffield Eagles this year with his son Sid, having played the wheelchair game elsewhere previously. He decided that Sheffield was the club they would be able to make progress with, with both making their Super League debuts.

“From joining Sheffield before the start of the 2025 season, I have seen Greg use his encouraging manner towards all our team” Gareth noted.

“He made both me and Sid feel extremely welcome and part of Sheffield from the off, he takes time to talk to individuals and players to give pointers and encourages personal development. This has resulted in Sid's confidence and skills growing in pre-season to a point Greg believed he was ready to make his Super League debut for the club.”

Longstanding player Jenny Pearson, who had her first taste of Wheelchair Rugby League with the club in 2022 and has grown to become a first team regular, was also quick to sing Greg’s praises.

“Greg is very patient, encouraging and mostly positive and he allows for players to contribute and bring their ideas and creativity in the game” she explained.

“He asks us regularly what we want and his commitment to making the Sheffield Eagles Wheelchair team successful has been unwavering. He is very consistent and persistent with everything that he believes is right and he is not afraid to choose the path that he wants us to go down.

Joe Wink-Simmonds agrees that Greg’s leadership has been central in shaping the team’s approach, encouraging development and growth without fear of failure.

“This season has definitely been tough for the squad, but we've used our momentum well from our successful year in the championship and I don't think we'd have been able to achieve that without a leader like Greg” praised Joe. “We haven't achieved everything that we wanted as a team, but a lot of us have certainly had our own personal wins, including Greg himself.”

“For me, being part of the Super League squad we have at Sheffield is so exciting; for a lad born in the city, playing for his boyhood club and being supported by an Aussie coach – it’s a Rugby League dream come true!.

“Greg is known for being unpredictable and that’s helped the Eagles develop a style that, at times, no others can replicate, especially with our tough introduction into the top tier of the sport. As a result of Greg’s coaching and the opportunities given this year, I feel like a different player compared to where I was in January. The continuous development of this squad under Greg would boost anyone's confidence.”

Zoe Davis also included her thoughts, going on to say, “Greg facilitates improvement by fostering autonomy, making us active participants in our own development journey. He consistently asks for self-reflection after games or practices, prompting us to consider what went well and what could have gone better. I value the independence of analysing my own performance, identifying areas to improve, and knowing there is someone I can approach to answer my questions, which I did a lot on the sidelines.”

“Ultimately, a good coach doesn't just manage a team, they cultivate the confidence and clarity required for every player to take ownership of their role and excel under pressure” she added. “I’d like to thank Greg for seeing my potential, it means more to me than I think you know!”

Congratulations from everyone at Sheffield Eagles to Greg Brown on being recognised as a nominee for the Betfred Wheelchair Super League Coach of the Year Award!