by Smith returned to his hometown club as coach in December 2022, taking on the role of women’s head coach following his retirement as a player.
A Saints Academy product, Smith played twice for St Helens and also played for Salford, Wigan, Catalans and Widnes before ending his playing career.
During the 2023 season, Smith began working as an assistant coach for the St Helens First Team alongside our women’s team duties. For the 2024 season, he worked in a dual role across the team.
In his two seasons in charge of Saints Women, Smith helped our team secure two Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup trophies at Wembley and the 2024 Women’s League Leaders’ Shield by finishing top of the regular season table.
The Red V Women came close to achieving a historic treble of trophies in 2024, but unfortunately suffered defeat in the Women’s Grand Final. At the 2024 Rugby League Awards Night, Smith was named Betfred Women’s Super League Coach of the Year.
I thank St.Helens for the opportunity to train. Matty Smith said: “The last two years have been incredible. I wanted to get into coaching and being offered a job straight after playing was unexpected and probably the best thing that could have happened to me in my development and I learned much faster. It was great that the club gave me this opportunity and I loved every minute.
“I came into the women’s team wanting to work with a good team and my goal was to improve a few different things. I think this year we really showed it and the girls bought into what we wanted to do. So I was very grateful to be able to coach the girls.
“I got the opportunity to work in the first team at Wello [Paul Wellens]Laurent [Frayssinous]Ian [Talbot]and Matty [Daniels]you’ll just learn to be around men like them and try to improve yourself. So I was really grateful again and got a lot out of it.”
Head coach Paul Wellens Wished Smith well on behalf of the club, adding: “Matty began his coaching career at Saints two years ago and in that time we have seen how passionate he is about his roles at the club.
“We thank him for his commitment to the Saints’ First and Women’s teams and wish him all the best for the future.”
St.Helens RFC would like to thank Matty for his hard work over the last two years and wish him all the best in his next chapter.
