James Stannard Takes Up Aussie Sevens Coaching Role

Retiring Aussie Men’s Sevens star, James “Chucky” Stannard will continue with Rugby Australia having signed on to be an Assistant Coach with the Australian Women’s Sevens squad until 2020.

Stannard will join Head Coach John Manenti’s coaching staff as he builds a squad, two years out from the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. 

He will also work across the Men’s program heading into the Sevens Rugby World Cup in San Francisco in July, as well as national youth and emerging male and female programs. 

Rugby Australia, Head of National Sevens programs, Scott Bowen said: “We have been working with James for some time on developing his coaching understanding and skills and supporting his ambition to enter coaching after playing. 

“The transition for James into coaching national teams at all levels is a great opportunity for James and ensures all our Sevens teams will have access to his Sevens knowledge built up over many years as a top-class player.”

Australian Elite Sevens Teams Coach, James Stannard: “I’ve been looking to get into coaching for a while now but they kept giving me playing contracts, so it’s exciting to be able to start my next Rugby chapter as a coach. 

“To enter coaching across various national Sevens programs including youth, will enable me to progress my coaching experiences quickly. I feel very fortunate for the opportunity provided by Rugby AU to transition into this role immediately after concluding my playing career.

“John and Tim Walsh are world class coaches and I know I will learn a lot from them. Having seen what John has done at Eastwood and as an Australian Sevens coach, I’m looking forward to getting stuck in and working with him again. 

“The Aussie Women’s Sevens is one of the most exciting prospects in Australian sport and I’m really looking forward to working with the team.” 

Stannard will officially start in the new role Immediately.