Latest news with #Walters
The Advertiser
5 hours ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Walters embraces 'lifetime' chance to coach Australia
Kevin Walters won a World Cup final for Australia with a famous pass as a player and now is "proud" he gets to coach the Kangaroos on the three-Test tour of England. Walters, 57, replaces new Perth Bears coach Mal Meninga in the role on a 12-month contract and said he had put aspirations to coach in the NRL again on hold in 2026. "Certainly. At the moment, my focus is the Kangaroos," Walters said. "I want to do a great job there with the Ashes series. It's a big job. "It's a 12-month contract so it's the opportune time for me to come in and get some hard work done and then prepare these guys for what will be a very tough series. "When that phone call came to ask if I would be interested in coaching the Kangaroos, the hairs on the back of my neck really stood up and bristled. "As a kid, you dream about ... playing for the Kangaroos, which I was fortunate enough to achieve, and now to be given the opportunity to coach them, it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity." Walters coached Queensland to two State of Origin series wins out of four and was at the helm of Brisbane when they reached the 2023 grand final before being sacked at the end of the following year. If successful on the Ashes tour there is a strong chance he would be retained for next year's World Cup to be hosted in Australia and Papua New Guinea. Walters played 12 Tests for Australia and was a hero of the 1992 World Cup final at Wembley Stadium. The Kangaroos were trailing 6-4 when Walters came off the bench to throw a classic "out ball" to his Brisbane teammate Steve Renouf who scored the match winner in 10-6 win. Former NSW coach Brad Fittler turned down the opportunity to replace Meninga while former Kangaroos coach and current South Sydney mentor Wayne Bennett was ruled out of contention by the Commission due to his club responsibilities. Former Australia captain Cameron Smith told 100% Footy on Monday night that despite being interested in the coaching role, he was not given the opportunity to present his case. He did receive notification from ARLC chairman Peter V'landys that Walters had got the job. "He gave me a phone call to let me know the decision was made to go with Kev and that was about it," Smith said. "I'm happy with that decision, I respect that decision. "If I had an opportunity to put my case forward I would've but the decision was made by the game's hierarchy to go with Kevvie and I think it's a great appointment." During the conversation Smith said V'landys spoke about a possible assistant role. "That could be something to look at but I've not had any further discussions with Peter or Andrew Abdo or anyone in the NRL about that," he said. Walters said a possible role for Smith on the coaching staff was "something that we'll have to have a look at". "I'm not sure of Cameron's position at the moment and what he wants to do but he's been a great leader for the Kangaroos and I have worked with Smithy as a captain-coach relationship with the Queensland team for a few years," Walters said. "We've got a good relationship. I'll get my feet under the desk first. There's a lot of decisions to be made around staff. Certainly, we'll look at that in the next couple of days." Kevin Walters won a World Cup final for Australia with a famous pass as a player and now is "proud" he gets to coach the Kangaroos on the three-Test tour of England. Walters, 57, replaces new Perth Bears coach Mal Meninga in the role on a 12-month contract and said he had put aspirations to coach in the NRL again on hold in 2026. "Certainly. At the moment, my focus is the Kangaroos," Walters said. "I want to do a great job there with the Ashes series. It's a big job. "It's a 12-month contract so it's the opportune time for me to come in and get some hard work done and then prepare these guys for what will be a very tough series. "When that phone call came to ask if I would be interested in coaching the Kangaroos, the hairs on the back of my neck really stood up and bristled. "As a kid, you dream about ... playing for the Kangaroos, which I was fortunate enough to achieve, and now to be given the opportunity to coach them, it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity." Walters coached Queensland to two State of Origin series wins out of four and was at the helm of Brisbane when they reached the 2023 grand final before being sacked at the end of the following year. If successful on the Ashes tour there is a strong chance he would be retained for next year's World Cup to be hosted in Australia and Papua New Guinea. Walters played 12 Tests for Australia and was a hero of the 1992 World Cup final at Wembley Stadium. The Kangaroos were trailing 6-4 when Walters came off the bench to throw a classic "out ball" to his Brisbane teammate Steve Renouf who scored the match winner in 10-6 win. Former NSW coach Brad Fittler turned down the opportunity to replace Meninga while former Kangaroos coach and current South Sydney mentor Wayne Bennett was ruled out of contention by the Commission due to his club responsibilities. Former Australia captain Cameron Smith told 100% Footy on Monday night that despite being interested in the coaching role, he was not given the opportunity to present his case. He did receive notification from ARLC chairman Peter V'landys that Walters had got the job. "He gave me a phone call to let me know the decision was made to go with Kev and that was about it," Smith said. "I'm happy with that decision, I respect that decision. "If I had an opportunity to put my case forward I would've but the decision was made by the game's hierarchy to go with Kevvie and I think it's a great appointment." During the conversation Smith said V'landys spoke about a possible assistant role. "That could be something to look at but I've not had any further discussions with Peter or Andrew Abdo or anyone in the NRL about that," he said. Walters said a possible role for Smith on the coaching staff was "something that we'll have to have a look at". "I'm not sure of Cameron's position at the moment and what he wants to do but he's been a great leader for the Kangaroos and I have worked with Smithy as a captain-coach relationship with the Queensland team for a few years," Walters said. "We've got a good relationship. I'll get my feet under the desk first. There's a lot of decisions to be made around staff. Certainly, we'll look at that in the next couple of days." Kevin Walters won a World Cup final for Australia with a famous pass as a player and now is "proud" he gets to coach the Kangaroos on the three-Test tour of England. Walters, 57, replaces new Perth Bears coach Mal Meninga in the role on a 12-month contract and said he had put aspirations to coach in the NRL again on hold in 2026. "Certainly. At the moment, my focus is the Kangaroos," Walters said. "I want to do a great job there with the Ashes series. It's a big job. "It's a 12-month contract so it's the opportune time for me to come in and get some hard work done and then prepare these guys for what will be a very tough series. "When that phone call came to ask if I would be interested in coaching the Kangaroos, the hairs on the back of my neck really stood up and bristled. "As a kid, you dream about ... playing for the Kangaroos, which I was fortunate enough to achieve, and now to be given the opportunity to coach them, it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity." Walters coached Queensland to two State of Origin series wins out of four and was at the helm of Brisbane when they reached the 2023 grand final before being sacked at the end of the following year. If successful on the Ashes tour there is a strong chance he would be retained for next year's World Cup to be hosted in Australia and Papua New Guinea. Walters played 12 Tests for Australia and was a hero of the 1992 World Cup final at Wembley Stadium. The Kangaroos were trailing 6-4 when Walters came off the bench to throw a classic "out ball" to his Brisbane teammate Steve Renouf who scored the match winner in 10-6 win. Former NSW coach Brad Fittler turned down the opportunity to replace Meninga while former Kangaroos coach and current South Sydney mentor Wayne Bennett was ruled out of contention by the Commission due to his club responsibilities. Former Australia captain Cameron Smith told 100% Footy on Monday night that despite being interested in the coaching role, he was not given the opportunity to present his case. He did receive notification from ARLC chairman Peter V'landys that Walters had got the job. "He gave me a phone call to let me know the decision was made to go with Kev and that was about it," Smith said. "I'm happy with that decision, I respect that decision. "If I had an opportunity to put my case forward I would've but the decision was made by the game's hierarchy to go with Kevvie and I think it's a great appointment." During the conversation Smith said V'landys spoke about a possible assistant role. "That could be something to look at but I've not had any further discussions with Peter or Andrew Abdo or anyone in the NRL about that," he said. Walters said a possible role for Smith on the coaching staff was "something that we'll have to have a look at". "I'm not sure of Cameron's position at the moment and what he wants to do but he's been a great leader for the Kangaroos and I have worked with Smithy as a captain-coach relationship with the Queensland team for a few years," Walters said. "We've got a good relationship. I'll get my feet under the desk first. There's a lot of decisions to be made around staff. Certainly, we'll look at that in the next couple of days."
Straits Times
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Rugby league-Walters confirmed as Kangaroos coach for Ashes tour
SYDNEY - Former Brisbane Broncos and Queensland coach Kevin Walters will lead Australia's Kangaroos on this year's three-test tour of England, where rugby league's Ashes will be contested for the first time in 22 years. The post became vacant when Mal Meninga was recruited to head up the new National Rugby League (NRL) expansion team in Perth and 57-year-old Walters was favourite to get the job once Brad Fittler ruled himself out. "Kevin has played for the Kangaroos, had a successful coaching career with Brisbane Broncos and Queensland Maroons, and will bring that expertise into the national team for the Ashes," Australian rugby league supremo Peter V'landys said in a statement on Wednesday. "Kevin has toured with the Kangaroos as a player, was a leader as a player and as a coach. His coaching pedigree is a natural fit for the national team." Walters has been handed a contract only for the three matches in London, Liverpool and Leeds in late October and early November, but a good showing by Australia could earn him an extension until next year's much-delayed World Cup. Similar to the cricket rivalry of the same name, rugby league's Ashes were contested between Australia and Britain 39 times between 1908 and 2003. Australia won the last 13 editions. REUTERS
7NEWS
19 hours ago
- Sport
- 7NEWS
ARLC unveil Kevin Walters as new Kangaroos coach, Cameron Smith not given opportunity to present
Kevin Walters won a World Cup final for Australia with a famous pass as a player and now he gets to coach the Kangaroos on the three-Test tour of England. Walters has been confirmed by the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) as the new Australia coach for the tour of England, edging out NRL legend Cameron Smith for the job — but challenges already loom on the horizon. The 57-year-old replaces new Perth Bears coach Mal Meninga with doubt hanging over whether he will have key trio Payne Haas, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow on board for the first three-Test Kangaroo tour in 22 years. The three are considering pledging their allegiance to Samoa for the upcoming Pacific Cup. Walters coached Queensland to two State of Origin series wins out of four and was at the helm of Brisbane when they reached the 2023 grand final before being sacked at the end of the following year. His contract with the ARLC is just for the three Tests at the end of season but if successful there is a strong chance he would be retained for next year's World Cup to be hosted in Australia and Papua New Guinea. 'It is truly an honour and a privilege to be able to coach the Kangaroos on such a stage,' Walters said. 'Playing on a Kangaroos Tour was always a pinnacle as a player, so to be able to lead the best of the best in this environment is very humbling and obviously very exciting. 'This series will be an important step for the growth of international rugby league and for the Kangaroos. I can't wait to get started.' Former NSW coach Brad Fittler turned down the opportunity to replace Meninga while former Kangaroos coach and current South Sydney mentor Wayne Bennett was ruled out of contention by the Commission due to his club responsibilities. Former Australia captain Smith told Nine on Monday night that despite being interested in the coaching role, he was not given the opportunity to present his case. He did receive notification from ARLC chairman Peter V'landys that Walters had got the job. 'He gave me a phone call to let me know the decision was made to go with Kev and that was about it,' Smith said. 'I'm happy with that decision, I respect that decision. 'If I had an opportunity to put my case forward I would've but the decision was made by the game's hierarchy to go with Kevvie and I think it's a great appointment.' During the conversation Smith said V'landys spoke about a possible assistant role. 'That could be something to look at but I've not had any further discussions with Peter or Andrew Abdo or anyone in the NRL about that,' he said. Walters played 12 Tests for Australia and was a hero of the 1992 World Cup final at Wembley Stadium. The Kangaroos were trailing 6-4 when Walters came off the bench to throw a classic 'out ball' to his Brisbane teammate Steve Renouf who scored the match winner in 10-6 win. Walters was a proven winner as player on his way to six premierships (five with Brisbane, one with Canberra) and 20 State of Origin games for Queensland.
Business Upturn
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Business Upturn
Pace-O-Matic Presents Integrity Award to the Honorable Tom Walters
By GlobeNewswire Published on July 22, 2025, 22:21 IST Duluth, GA, July 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Pace-O-Matic and its founder, Michael Pace, have presented the Honorable Tom Walters, a former Wyoming legislator, with an Integrity Award. The award was presented to Walters on July 18th in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The Integrity Award recognizes individuals in the amusement industry or related fields who exemplify the highest standards of integrity. Recipients are those who consistently demonstrate honesty, fairness, and ethical conduct in all aspects of their professional endeavors. Walters served in the Wyoming House of Representatives for 12 years. In that time, he built a reputation as a staunch defender of small business rights and our military service members. Walters also became the main champion for skill game regulation in the General Assembly and was instrumental in passing legislation in 2020. Creating a regulatory framework for skill games in Wyoming has established an important blueprint for legislation in other states. 'The Integrity Award is not just about what one achieves but how they achieve it. For Tom, as a former member of the Wyoming General Assembly, this means standing up for sound policy proposals, even when they may not have been popular among other lawmakers,' said Michael Pace. 'It means putting the needs of Wyomingites above status-quo politics, and it means doing the right thing and leading with integrity. Without his leadership, we surely would not be standing here today.' Walters took up the skill game cause, understanding that this was an issue that greatly impacts local businesses – the backbone of our economy – and important veteran organizations. 'I want to thank Michael and Karmin Pace for this wonderful award, and to all of you here tonight for joining us in beautiful Cheyenne,' said Tom Walters. 'Acting with integrity has always been important to me, not just while serving in office but in life. Integrity is one of the foundations of the Code of the West, and something Wyomingites specifically take pride in. So, it's an honor to be here and to be recognized.' Mark Twain once famously said, 'Do the right thing. It will gratify some people and astonish the rest.' The Integrity Award is intended to celebrate those who live by this example. The award is embodied in a stunning piece of hand-blown glass art, featuring a clear, luminous structure with intricate layers and varying colors. Every award is a unique art piece, and no two are alike. This is the second Integrity Award that has been presented by the company, with the first recognizing Larry Hilimire of Staunton Automatics in New York. Attachment Michael Pace and Tom Walters Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same. Ahmedabad Plane Crash GlobeNewswire provides press release distribution services globally, with substantial operations in North America and Europe.
Scoop
a day ago
- Business
- Scoop
Canterbury Christian Schools Expanding
Building project planning has started at two North Canterbury Christian schools, following approval to grow their school rolls. The Ministry of Education has granted permission to Rangiora New Life School and St Joseph's Catholic Primary School (Rangiora) to increase their maximum rolls. Rangiora New Life School will raise its roll from 470 to 570 students, while St Joseph's School will increase its roll from 175 to 225 over the next three years. The two schools have growing waiting lists as more families move to North Canterbury and seek a Christian education for their children. Schools throughout North Canterbury have experienced rapid growth over the last decade, as communities struggle to keep up with growing housing developments. St Joseph's board of trustees presiding member Emma Dangerfield said it is the first time in 25 years the school has been able to increase its roll, despite the growing population. ''The Catholic Parish of Waimakariri has also seen growth in the number of active members. ''While we are grateful to achieve the maximum roll increase, we are conscious it is unlikely to exceed the demand we have for enrolments.'' Ms Dangerfield said the school will build six new classrooms, as it takes the opportunity to replace some ageing teaching spaces. The new classrooms will be built next to the playing field, off Percival Street, while classrooms on the George Street / Victoria Street corner will be decommissioned at a later date. The school aims to have the work completed next year. Rangiora New Life School principal Stephen Walters said ground works got under way during the recent school holidays for six new classrooms, a resource room and an extension to the administration block. ''I'm excited. We're not reliant on Ministry funding or oversight, so we just have to meet council regulations. ''We will have it done swiftly by the middle of next year and probably earlier. ''It is very exciting times for us. It is a real blessing to be able to add more space for Christian families in North Canterbury.'' Mr Walters said the school has been carrying waiting lists for a number of years. ''It's always lovely to make the call to those families and offer them a space.'' The bulk of the new places will be offered to primary students at the year 1 to 13 school. But Mr Walters said there are already plans to apply for a further roll increase for the secondary end of the school in three years time. Students come to Rangiora New Life School from anywhere between the Hurunui and Waimakariri rivers, with 40 percent travelling to school by bus. ''I encourage people, that we've got good local schools, but if you are a Christian family we are an option for you,'' Mr Walters said. The two schools are special character schools, with elected boards of trustees and operate the same way as state schools, receiving Ministry funding for staff and resourcing. As the Ministry does not pay for the buildings, local churches own the buildings and recover the cost through school fees.
