James Webster (rugby league)
![]() | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Full name | James Webster | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Born | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia | 11 July 1979||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Position | Halfback | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Coaching information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
As of 20 October 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Relatives | Andrew Webster (brother) |
James Webster (born 11 July 1979) is an Australian professional rugby league football coach who was the head coach of the Featherstone Rovers in the Betfred Championship, and a former professional player.
He was previously of the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats (Heritage № ??) and Hull Kingston Rovers. Webster played as a scrum-half or hooker in the National Rugby League for Australian clubs Balmain Tigers and Parramatta Eels. He then played in the Super League for Hull Kingston Rovers, Hull F.C. (Heritage № 1055) and the Widnes Vikings. Webster stayed in England after retiring from playing and became a coach.
Background
[edit]Webster was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
He is the older brother of former rugby league footballer and current New Zealand Warriors head coach, Andrew Webster
Playing career
[edit]Balmain Tigers
[edit]Webster played rugby league in his home town of Sydney for Balmain. Webster played in Balmain's final ever match as a first grade side, a 42–14 loss against Canberra. Balmain then went on to merge with fellow foundation club Western Suburbs as part of the NRL rationalisation policy.
Parramatta Eels
[edit]Webster then moved to the Parramatta Eels, making 22 appearances in his time with Parramatta.[4]
Hull Kingston Rovers
[edit]Webster was released from Hull Kingston Rovers on 2 May 2008.[5]
Hull FC
[edit]Webster eventually joined rivals Hull FC. After only one game in a black and white jersey – Webster was released from his contract.
Widnes Vikings
[edit]It was then announced he had signed a two-year contract with Widnes. He joined National League One side Widnes for the 2009 season.[6]
Coaching career
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/19/James_Webster.jpg/220px-James_Webster.jpg)
Hull FC
[edit]Webster turned his back on his playing career to focus on his coaching role with former club Hull, when he returned to the black and whites as Assistant Coach in 2010. He worked closely alongside Head Coach Richard Agar and fellow Assistant Coach Andy Last in his first major coaching opportunity, whilst he is also involved in the development of other young coaches with the Rugby Football League. In early 2014, Webster was playing for amateur rugby club Hornsea RUFC, he earned one cap and also offered coaching support.
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
[edit]On 2 June 2014, Webster replaced the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats head coach Richard Agar as the new head coach of the Super League club.[7][8] On 19 May 2015, Webster left Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.[9]
Hull Kingston Rovers
[edit]In March 2016, Webster was named Interim Coach of Hull Kingston Rovers replacing the sacked Chris Chester. Webster became the assistant coach at Hull Kingston Rovers when he was replaced by Tim Sheens as head coach from the 2017 season.
Featherstone Rovers
[edit]In October 2019, was named head coach of Featherstone Rovers replacing Ryan Carr who return home to Australia. Webster guided Featherstone to the 2021 Million Pound Game where they lost against Toulouse Olympique. On 22 October 2021, he stood down from the role as head coach at Featherstone by mutual consent.[10]
References
[edit]- ^ loverugbyleague
- ^ Rugby League Project
- ^ Rugby League Project Coaching
- ^ "Official Player Numbers". Parramatta Eels.
- ^ "Webster shown Hull KR exit door". BBC. 2 May 2008. Retrieved 2 May 2008.
- ^ "Vikings swoop for Webster". Manchester Evening News. 26 September 2008. Retrieved 1 October 2008.
- ^ "Agar replaced by Webster". Archived from the original on 2 July 2014.
- ^ "Super League: Richard Agar steps down as Wakefield coach".
- ^ "Wakefield part company with head coach James Webster after 11 months". The Guardian. 19 May 2015.
- ^ "James Webster leaves Featherstone as club explains why after honest revelation". seriousaboutrl.com. 22 October 2021.
External links
[edit]- Hull KR profile
- (archived by web.archive.org) Hull Kingston Rovers ~ Captains
- 1979 births
- Living people
- Australian rugby league coaches
- Australian rugby league players
- Australian expatriate rugby league players in England
- Balmain Tigers players
- Featherstone Rovers coaches
- Hull F.C. players
- Hull Kingston Rovers coaches
- Hull Kingston Rovers players
- Parramatta Eels players
- Rugby league halfbacks
- Rugby league players from Sydney
- Wakefield Trinity coaches
- Widnes Vikings players
- Expatriate rugby league coaches