US Hawks seeking new coaches ahead of Vegas triple-header

The USARL is conducting a worldwide search for new Hawks coaches ahead of February's triple-header against Scotland in Las Vegas and the next round of World Cup qualifiers.

The Hawks will play the Bravehearts in men's, women's and youth international as part of the NRL's Rugby League in Las Vegas 2026, headlined by the season opening Bulldogs-Dragons and Cowboys-Knights fixtures at Allegiant Stadium.

Super League heavyweights Hull KR and Leeds will also play in the third instalment of the NRL's Vegas venture to grow the game in the United States.

The United States Association of Rugby League (USARL) has appointed Dolphins official Shane Morris and former Knights player Kurt Stocks to a new strategic football leadership team and thrown open all national coaching roles.

Morris and Stocks will oversee preparations for qualifying campaigns for the 2028 Women’s World Cup and the 2030 Men’s World Cup.

Morris brings more than 20-years of experience across elite rugby league environments, including leadership with the Brisbane Broncos, Melbourne Storm, Dolphins NRL, and as CEO of the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League.

He has overseen national programs, governance reforms, and grassroots-to-elite pathways in Australia, PNG, and Fiji.

Stocks is a former senior player with the Newcastle Knights, North Sydney Bears, and Hunter Mariners, adds both rugby league and corporate leadership credentials.

Now based in California, he serves as president of LEGOLAND California Resort, where he has led major operational turnarounds and stakeholder engagement, while maintaining close ties to rugby league in both the U.S. and Australia.

The appointments follow the completion of a comprehensive six-month review of the national program, conducted by the USARL national program sub-committee that evaluated more than 40 candidates and established a new national program structure.

With the new leadership team in place, the USARL is now inviting Expressions of Interest for critical national team positions across the Hawks Men’s, Women’s, and Under 19s Youth programs.

The recruitment drive and leadership reset comes as the USARL prepares for the next international benchmarks: the 2028 Women’s World Cup and the 2030 Men’s World Cup.

Recent progress has seen the US Men climb into the Top 20 and the Women rank just outside the Top 10 in the latest IRL World Rankings, providing a strong foundation for the future.

"This is another positive step forward for rugby league in America,” USARL chair Matt Goschnick said.

“The synergy and combined experience of Shane and Kurt will help us better resource and establish sustainable structures and support systems for our pathways and national programs.

"We are excited to have them driving the top-level strategy and look forward to the flow-on effects of strengthening the domestic game and creating more opportunities for players, coaches, and referees to upskill.”

Applications for the coaching roles are being overseen by the USARL head of football and assistant head of football with assistance of the USARL national program sub-committee.

Current staff are encouraged to reapply, and candidates from both the United States and overseas are welcome.