Dragons appoint Mat Head as coach of its NRLW team ahead of 2021 season

Head's coaching achievements are extensive, including the Balmain Tigers 2013 SG Ball premiership win and the Dragons' 2019 NSW Cup team's minor premiership.

He coached the NSW women's State of Origin team in 2014 and 2015, awarding incumbent Dragons captain Kezie Apps her maiden blues jersey.

Head said he was looking forward to creating a "winning and exciting culture", but more importantly a culture that would be "professional and disciplined".

"Our men's team is going to some good places currently with Hook (Anthony Griffin) at the helm," he said.

"I'm really excited and inspired by our NRL squad and am looking forward to transferring things across to our women's program.

"There's a lot of improvement that can be achieved. Hopefully the girls buy into what it means to be a Dragon. That's one thing we have tried to instil in our Dragons Academy, and it's something I want to bring across to our women's program."

Head acted as an assistant the club's women's team last season, under Daniel Lacey.

Dragons general manager of football Ben Haran said that Head was a really exciting appointment for the club's NRLW program.

"We thought the change was necessary for the program's success moving forward and Mat brings a lot of great qualities as a coach," he said.

"The women's game is becoming more and more professional so the opportunity to be able to allocate one of our full-time resources, who works within our men's program, to our NRLW team is a real asset for us as a club.

"We're keen to build a strong connection across both our men's and women's teams."

Currently, he is the head coach of the inaugural Dragons Academy program which will commence its female academy in a few weeks.

Head believes the academy will be crucial for the future success of the club's NRLW Premiership fortunes.

"The earlier you can get them, to explain the basics of the game, will be a great opportunity," he said. "The academy will receive a lot of great coaching and as the years go on, hopefully they'll aspire to be an NRLW player."

Haran said that the growth in female participation in rugby league is rapid and that the club recognises that large amount of talent in its regions.

"The introduction of our female Dragons Academy will ensure these young players get plenty of opportunities moving forward," he said. "We want to win NRLW competitions and that starts by having this new pathway in place for our young female talent."