The Canberra Raiders have announced changes to their Coaching and High-Performance Departments ahead of the 2019 season.
After an extensive end of season review, the club has had the opportunity to bring in some new staff and restructure their football operations.
The restructure includes the earlier announced appointment of Andrew McFadden as NRL Assistant Coach, with McFadden returning to the club after six seasons with the New Zealand Warriors, including a stint as Head Coach.
The Mounties have also appointed Peter Marrapodi as the clubs Head Coach for the 2019 season, with Marrapodi to be based in Canberra and work with the NRL squad members playing for Mounties throughout the season.
As also previously announced, Ash Barnes will move into the Head Coaching role for the clubs under 20s program.
Raiders CEO Don Furner said the changes to the coaching structure gives the club a number of locally based coaches who have earnt the right to be part of the clubs coaching structure.
"The Raiders have a long history of producing top-level coaches and we believe the most recent round of appointments will continue this into the future," Furner said. "Andrew McFadden, Peter Marrapodi and Ash Barnes are all coaches who know our systems and who are hungry to learn more and help the club into the future."
Raiders Head of Physical Performance Nigel Ashley-Jones said the changes to the High-Performance team gives the club the opportunity to bring some new ideas and resourcing into the clubs NRL program.
"Sport is all about adapting to change and doing everything you can to stay ahead of the competition," Ashley-Jones said. "We've brought in some experienced and well-qualified staff into the High-Performance team to help take us to the next level.
"The inclusion of Travis Ronaldson and Tom Christian into our team allows us to freshen up our approach and to introduce some new ideas and voices into our program. Travis has had extensive experience in both the NRL and AFL, while Tom's appointment gives us someone who is familiar with GPS systems, and an extra physiotherapist to assist in our injury prevention and treatment."
The changes to the Raiders Coaching/High-Performance team include:
NRL Assistant Coach – Andrew McFadden
Former Raiders NRL Assistant Coach, Andrew has spent the last six seasons with the New Zealand Warriors including time as their Head Coach.
ISP Coach – Peter Marrapodi
Peter has a long history coaching the club's junior grades and most recently coached the Mounties Jersey Flegg team which reached the Preliminary Final in 2018.
Jersey Flegg Coach – Ash Barnes
Ash has worked with the clubs under 20s previously in an Assistant Role and was also Coach of the Woden Valley Rams (2018 Canberra Raiders Cup Premiers) and Monaro under 23 Representative Teams (2017 Country Champions).
NRL Strength & Power Coach/Club Dietitian – Travis Ronaldson
Travis has worked in the High-Performance teams of both the Melbourne Storm and Gold Coast Titans.
Travis also has a background in AFL including a playing career in the VFL and as a staff member with the Western Bulldogs and Gold Coast Suns.
NRL Sports Scientist/Physiotherapist – Tom Christian
Tom moves to Canberra after working with Catapult Sports. He is also a qualified physiotherapist who will work in that role predominantly with the clubs under 20s program. Tom's appointment allows club physiotherapist Isaac Priddis to work more with the NRL squad under Head Physiotherapist Konrad Schultz.
NRL Wellbeing Officer – Andrew Bishop
Andrew joins David Thom in the Clubs Career, Education & Wellbeing team. His appointment comes with a change in role for Dean Souter, who moves out of this position into a full-time role heading up the club's junior development programs.
CLICK HERE For a full list of club Football and Marketing Staff