The Bay of Plenty Rugby Union today announced the appointment of John Walters as the new Steamers Assistant Coach and also the Union's Coach Development Manager.
Walters most recently coached the Hamilton Old Boys Club Premier Team along with guiding the Chiefs Under 18 team. Walters also spent two years(2007-08) as head coach in Hong Kong. Walters also has gained NZRU level 3 and IRB level 2 coaching qualifications. Walters played at the NPC level representing Waikato from 1991 to 1996 as well as being a New Zealand Colt in 2003.
Bay of Plenty Rugby Union Chief Executive Mike Rogers said ""John brings a wealth of experience to the Union and is an ambitious young coach who has the skills and experience to make a significant impact at the ITM Cup level. We remain an ambitious Union and want to follow on from 2011 and be competing when it comes to finals time."
Rogers continued "In addition to the contribution John will make to the success of the Steamers we are equally excited about the impression John will make through his role with our club and school coaches in the Bay. We are committed to supporting the hundreds of coaches involved in rugby in the Bay and John will play an important role in leading our coach development program."
Walters said "I am excited about being involved with Bay of Plenty rugby. I have always had a passion to coach at the ITM Cup level and having the opportunity to coach Bay of Plenty, a team I supported when I was growing up in Kawerau playing Tai Mitchell rugby is a fantastic role for me."
Walters added "I am also looking forward to the Coach Development role as I have a real affinity with the game at the community level having spent a number of years coaching at the club level."
