St Helens Women’s joint head coach Derek Hardman has formally applied for the Wests Tigers’ top job, with reports in Australia placing him among the frontrunners to succeed Brett Kimmorley in 2026.
Kimmorley confirmed earlier this month that he will step down at the end of the current campaign after guiding the Tigers since their entry into the NRLW in 2023.
Hardman, who has been involved with the Saints for over a decade across women’s and youth programmes, is now eyeing a switch Down Under. His CV includes a historic 2021 treble with St Helens Women, the Challenge Cup, Super League title and League Leaders’ Shield, as well as back-to-back Grand Final appearances with the men’s reserves, lifting the trophy last year against Wigan Warriors.
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Wests sit bottom of the NRLW ladder with just one win from ten outings this season, leaving the incoming head coach with a major rebuild on their hands. According to Zero Tackle, Hardman has already submitted his application, strengthening his case as one of the leading candidates.
In addition to his club success, Hardman has also worked with England at international level.
That breadth of experience could appeal to a Tigers set-up that currently includes assistants Charmain Steventon, Mitchell Sargent, Shane Richardson, Shannon Gallant and Greg Inglis. The latter, despite his high profile, is not expected to put his name forward for the head coach role.
Should Hardman be appointed, it would mark his first move into the NRLW and a significant new chapter in a coaching career already decorated on both the domestic and representative stage.