Jason Demetriou fired after disastrous season with South Sydney
- Jason Demetriou experienced a difficult tenure at South Sydney Rabbitohs, being sacked in May 2024 after a poor performance.
- He has now taken up a coaching role at Westfields Sports High School, a school known for its prominent sporting achievements.
- Demetriou's appointment is expected to positively shape the school’s rugby league program and develop future talent.
In May 2024, Jason Demetriou was dismissed as the head coach of the South Sydney Rabbitohs following a disappointing season where the team struggled at the bottom of the National Rugby League (NRL) ladder. Demetriou had taken over the coaching position from Wayne Bennett in 2022 but lasted only one and a half seasons in what many considered a challenging role. After his departure from Souths, he transitioned to a new position where he would utilize his vast coaching experience to nurture upcoming rugby league talents at Westfields Sports High School in Fairfield West, Sydney. The school is renowned for its impressive athletic pedigree, having produced some of Australia’s greatest sports figures, including cricketers Michael Clarke and Usman Khawaja, along with footballer Harry Kewell. Westfields expressed enthusiasm for Demetriou joining their coaching staff, emphasizing that his extensive NRL background would be an invaluable asset in shaping the next generation of players. In his new role, he is expected to focus on imparting his knowledge and skills to students, reinforcing Westfields’ commitment to excellence in sports. Demetriou's coaching philosophy reflects a dedication to continuous learning, which he voiced following his experiences with the Souths, stating that he would use this transition to become a more competent coach. He is also expected to retain responsibilities with the Papua New Guinea national rugby league team, where he had achieved recent success against Fiji and the Cook Islands, despite a single defeat to New Zealand earlier in the season. As Demetriou embarks on this new journey, his aim to advance young athletes’ skills resonates with the vision of Westfields Sports High School. His leadership skills, shaped by subsequent reflections on both his triumphs and challenges while coaching at South Sydney, are anticipated to foster a thriving rugby league program. This new chapter for Demetriou not only illustrates his resilience post-dismissal but also showcases his commitment to contributing positively to the future of rugby league in Australia by guiding aspiring players at the grassroots level. Overall, Jason Demetriou’s appointment at Westfields Sports High School underscores a promising opportunity within the competitive sporting landscape while simultaneously addressing the challenges he faced during his tenure with the Rabbitohs. His experience is expected to leave a lasting impact on the young talents at Westfields and could potentially lead to further advancements in their athletic careers.