Saints announce departure of assistant and women's head coach Matty Smith

MATTY Smith, Saints first team assistant coach and Women’s Head Coach, has left the club following the conclusion of the 2024 season.

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He is reported to be be pursuing a different opportunity. Following his retirement as a player, Smith joined Saints in a coaching capacity in December 2022, taking up the role of Women’s Head Coach. During the 2023 season, Smith began working alongside the St Helens First Team in an Assistant Coach capacity alongside his Women’s team duties.

For the 2024 season, he was in a dual role across both teams. In his two seasons in charge of the Saints Women, Smith helped guide the team to two Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup wins at Wembley Stadium, and the 2024 Women’s League Leaders’ Shield. Saints Women came close to making it a treble in 2024 but suffered a defeat to York in the Women’s Grand Final.



At the 2024 Rugby League Awards Night, Smith was named the Betfred Women’s Super League Coach of the Year. Smith said: “The last two years have been unbelievable. I wanted to get into coaching and to get offered a job straight after finishing playing was unexpected, and it was probably the best thing that happened in terms of my development, and I’ve learned a lot quicker.

"For the Club to give me that opportunity was great and I’ve loved every minute. “With the Women’s team, I stepped in to work with a good side, and my goal was to improve a few different things. "I think this year in particular we showed it and the girls bought into what we wanted to do, so I’ve been very grateful to coach the girls.

“Getting the opportunity to come into work with the First Team with Wello [Paul Wellens], Laurent [Frayssinous], Ian [Talbot], and Matty [Daniels], you are only going to learn being around men like them and try to improve. "So again, I’ve been really grateful and I’ve taken a lot from it.” Head Coach Paul Wellens said : “Matty began his coaching journey with Saints two years ago, and in that time we have seen how passionate he has been in his roles in the Club.

“We thank him for his efforts for the Saints’ First and Women teams, and wish him all the best for the future.”.