News

Counties Manukau Rugby have appointed former Steeler Mark Selwyn as their Steelers Academy and Pathways manager while Carl Sledge has been given the job as Head of Strength and Conditioning. Both men have started in their new roles this week.

Selwyn played 48 games for the Steelers between 2008 and 2013 and is a centurion of the Manurewa club. He was assistant coach of the Steelers in 2021 and has more recently been the 1^st XV coach at Sacred Heart College over the past four seasons, winning the coveted 1A Championship in 2023 – the first win for the school in 58 years.

“We are extremely fortunate to have Mark join us as Steelers Academy and Pathways Manager,” said CMRFU chief executive Chad Shepherd. “Mark really understands the DNA and identity of our Union, having played and coached the Steelers. He is also a graduate of the Steelers Academy so has a firsthand understanding of the performance qualities and behaviours it takes to be successful on and off the field. “Mark epitomises our values of courage, connected and work hard and what better way than our academy lads mirroring that behaviour. I’m really excited to see where Mark can take the Steelers Academy.”

Sledge joins the Union after spending time in Japan as Head of S&C for the Sakura (Japan Women’s XV) for the past two years. Prior to that he was Head of Performance at Southern Districts Rugby and also a Strength and Conditioning Associate with the NSW Waratahs. Carl also has a Masters of High Performance Sport.

“We are really excited to have Carl join us as the Head of Strength and Conditioning,” Shepherd said. “His diversity of thought and international experience will bring an exciting new lens to our High Performance department. “His passion for this space and philosophy aligns with how we want to prepare our athletes and play the game.”