Former Cowboy joins Wests Tigers

Wests Tigers is pleased to announce the appointment of Aaron Payne as head coach of the club’s NSW Cup team, Western Suburbs Magpies.

Payne joins the club on a two-year-deal after five years as head coach of North Queensland Cowboys’ feeder team, Townsville Blackhawks.

The 40-year-old played 219 games for the Cowboys over 11 seasons before a move into coaching, where he took charge of the club’s senior pathways teams.

Payne says he’s excited about joining Wests Tigers and the opportunities ahead.

“I think it’s a really exciting time to be involved with such a great club,” said Payne.

It’s a young and vibrant coaching staff in charge of the NRL team, and I look forward to working closely with Benji and the team.

Aaron Payne

“Wests Tigers pathways program is one of the biggest in the game and for me, that’s also an enormously exciting challenge.”

Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe has welcomed Payne to the club.

“It’s great to have Aaron and his family join us at Wests Tigers as we prepare for a new season and a new era,” said Pascoe.

“Coaching an NRL club’s second-tier team has its unique challenges, and Aaron is very familiar with this landscape.

“He is an outstanding coach and thrives in that role of transitioning players through the grades.

Aaron knows the game so well and I am sure he will be a welcome addition to our coaching staff.

Justin Pascoe