Steve Folkes is one of rugby league’s most experienced coaches. The former Test second-rower in 2009 was appointed high performance manager of NRL club Wests Tigers following a 31 year association with the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs as a player and coach.
During the 11 seasons he coached the Bulldogs’ top side, Folkes enjoyed an impressive 60 per cent winning strike rate.
During the process, he collected the 2004 NRL premiership, the Bulldogs were grand finalists in 1998, made the semi-finals on three occasions (1999, 2001 and 2007) and were preliminary finalists twice (2003 and 2006).
The 2004 Dally M Coach of the Year played 247 first-grade matches for the club and was a member of four premiership-winning teams.
He represented NSW in nine Origin games and made five Test appearances. He was a member of the undefeated 1986 Australian Kangaroos team that toured England and France.
In his new role at Wests Tigers, Folkes is working alongside head coach Tim Sheens and assistant coaches Royce Simmons and Peter Gentle in leading the club’s strength and conditioning program.
A Bachelor of Education (Physical and Health Education) with a Diploma of Teaching (Physical Education, Health and Social Science), Folkes briefly acted as strength and conditioning coach of the West Indies cricket team after his departure from the Bulldogs.
But returning to rugby league was always his No. 1 priority.
Tim Sheens says Folkes was the man he wanted at the Tigers.
“There is plenty of great talent and skilful players at Wests Tigers and with Steve here it will take our high performance program to a new level,” says the winning Australian Kangaroos Four Nations coach.