Wagga City appoint James Beaufils as new senior coach

The Boiled Lollies have appointed James Beaufils as the new senior coach, who will take over from premiership mentor Ben Schreiber.

Beaufils arrived in Wagga this season and enjoyed his first season at Wagga City. He boasts an extensive playing background, as well as level two coaching qualification through Australian Rugby Union (ARU).

Outgoing Wagga City president Dan Ribot believes Beaufils is the perfect man for the job.

"He's a good friend of Ben's, he played last year," Ribot said.

"He's a former Shute Shield first grader for Randwick and Southern Districts. He also played first 15s for Oxford over in the UK.

"We're very fortunate to have him step into that role."

Schreiber steps aside after a brilliant two years in charge of Wagga City. He led them to a historic premiership in 2020 and had them undefeated and headed towards back-to-back titles before COVID struck this year.

"Ben's got some other things going on and just needed to take a step back," Ribot said.

Ribot believes Beaufils will bring a lot to the coaching position.

"Definitely. He's a strong leader, he demonstrated that on the field this year and he's got the respect of the playing group," he said.

"Not everyone in and around the club had a chance to get to know him, as in the committee and other members, because he was busy getting on and playing and he only came to Wagga this year but they'll get to know him better as the year progresses.

"I think he'll add a lot of value to the club, both on the field and off it."

The experienced Beaufils will head a new-look leadership group.

Former Group Nine star Peter Little will take on the assistant coach and co-captain role. Southern Inland representative Steven Tracey will be backs coach, while former Kiwi Adam Mokotupu will take on the role of forwards coach and co-captain.

Greek representative Alexis Fresta, who moved to Wagga six months ago, will take on a strength and conditioning role.

Ribot, who will stay on as first grade manager, has stepped down after three years as president. Scott Bennett has taken over the top job.

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"I think a three-year term is reasonable," Ribot said.

"I think it's good for any organisation to get some new people at the top, new ideas.

"I feel like we've achieved a fair bit under the circumstances. We've been more or less destroyed, or if not destroyed, certainly hampered by COVID, and we've come out the other end.

"Registration numbers are strong, sponsorship numbers are good, we managed to get some silverware along the way, we've continued to be a diverse and, I think, happy, family club. And players enjoy playing for us and I think that's reflected in the results."

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