Chad Townsend to coach Cronulla Sharks’ bumper crop of SG Ball young guns

Premiership-winning halfback Chad Townsend is back at the Sharks in his first ever coaching role — and he has a serious batch of talent to work with.

David Riccio

@DaveRic1

2 min read

November 12, 2025 - 11:50AM

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It’s almost 10 years since Chad Townsend created history with Cronulla by winning the club’s first premiership.

Now the former halfback and aspiring coach has plans to help deliver the same dream to the next crop of young Sharks.

In what will be Townsend’s first foray into coaching, the recently retired NRL star has been appointed Cronulla SG Ball (under-19s) coach for the 2026 season.

It’s a full circle moment for the 34-year-old, who progressed through the Cronulla pathways system after being scouted as a local junior from the Yarrawarrah Tigers.

Chad Townsend has jumped straight into coaching at the Sharks. Picture: Sharks Digital

“Everything I’ve read about retiring from professional sports is a lot of it involves giving back to either grassroots or at junior level and with my interest in getting into coaching, I think this is a great way for me to jump in and give back to a pathway that gave a lot to me,” Townsend said.

“I’ve already had a few training sessions with the boys and I’ve really enjoyed it and I’m really grateful for the opportunity to see what we can do as a group together.’’

Townsend played 146 games for Cronulla, highlighted by his role in steering the Sharks to the 2016 premiership. He also played 46 games for the Warriors, 70 matches at the Cowboys and six last season with the Roosters.

He said he would use the many lessons he learned from each of his previous coaches to lead the Sharks’ batch of youngsters.

“It’s great to be back at the club, it’s a pretty cool feeling,” Townsend said.

“I know what these boys will be feeling, I’ve been here before with the challenges they face, and not just at SG Ball level, but as they progress to NRL.

“I’ve had some great coaches that helped me and one thing I’m really big on that I’ve taken away from those coaches is effort. I’ll be basing a lot of our mentality effort first.”

Townsend has a long-list of talent to coach within the Sharks SG Ball train squad including promising Newington schoolboy rugby star Callum Grantham (halfback), Tom Dellow (lock), Jake White (prop), Daniel Feki (halfback), Liam Bova (lock), Liam Challenor (halfback) and Oli Lester (fullback).

Newington schoolboy rugby star Callum Grantham (halfback). Picture: Warren Gannon Photography

Tom Dellow is an emerging lock. Picture: Adam Wrightson Photography

Jake White is a promising young middle. Picture: Adam Wrightson

Liam Bova is a top young lock coming through at the Sharks.

Liam Challenor is rising through the halfback ranks. Picture: Adam Wrightson Photography

Oliver Lester, fullback for Cronulla’s SG Ball. Picture: Adam Wrightson Photography

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Grantham is so highly regarded by the Sharks they have locked him in until the end of 2028.

Townsend isn’t alone in stepping into the coaching ranks for the first time in 2026.

Former NRL stars Kieran Foran (Sea Eagles assistant coach), Todd Carney (Titans talent identification and pathways coach), Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Roosters mentoring role), Aaron Gorrell (Dragons Jersey Flegg coach), Cameron Smith (Broncos mentoring role), Danny Buderus (Knights assistant coach) and Jordan McLean (Cowboys development coach) will all commence coaching opportunities next season.