Alana Thomas

Alana Thomas (born 18 March 1982) is an Australian rugby union coach and a former player.

Alana Thomas
Date of birth (1982-03-18) 18 March 1982
Place of birthGlen Innes, NSW
SchoolGlen Innes High School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fly Half
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2006–2008 Australia 7 (0)
Coaching career
Years Team
2018–2022 Melbourne Rebels (head coach)
2019 Australia A (assistant coach)

Career

Thomas grew up playing rugby league and touch. She gave rugby union a go after she was spotted trying out for a netball team.[1]

Thomas competed for Australia at the 2006 Rugby World Cup in Canada.[2][3] She made her international debut for the Wallaroos in the second pool game against France.[3][1] She later featured in their narrow 18–14 victory over Ireland for seventh place.[4][5]

Thomas was named in a 22–player squad that played in a two-test series against New Zealand in October 2007.[6][7]

Coaching career

Thomas started coaching in 2014, she started coaching sevens rugby with Rugby Victoria.[8] She was named Rugby Australia's Community Coach of the year in 2017 after she took the Melbourne Unicorns to a premiership.[9] In 2018, She became the inaugural Head Coach of the Melbourne Rebels in the Super W competition.[9][10]

Thomas was an assistant coach for Australia A when they competed at the 2019 Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship in Fiji.[1] She later earned a place on World Rugby's Coaching Internship Programme for the 2021 Rugby World Cup; she joined Fiji's management team as they prepared to make their tournament debut.[11][12]

Thomas was replaced by Jason Rogers as Head Coach of the Melbourne Rebels for the upcoming 2023 Super W season.[13]

References
  1. "Alana Thomas: "I feel a real obligation to give back"". www.women.rugby. 2020-06-18. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
  2. "Wallaroos World Cup rugby squad named". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2006-07-11. Retrieved 2023-01-08.
  3. "Alana Thomas". classicwallabies.com.au. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
  4. "Ireland Rattle The 'Roos". Irish Rugby. 2006-09-17. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
  5. "Irish women finish eighth". Irish Examiner. 2006-09-17. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
  6. "Wallaroos name squad for tour of New Zealand". ESPN.com. 2007-07-08. Retrieved 2023-01-08.
  7. "Australia name women's rugby Test team". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2007-10-15. Retrieved 2023-01-08.
  8. Ettridge, Loryn (2020-09-02). "Alana Thomas Embarks On A New Mission". www.rugby.com.au. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
  9. Fenwick, Kirby (2020-04-13). "For the love of the game: Melbourne Rebels coach Alana Thomas on Super W, coaching, and playing for Australia". Siren. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
  10. "WOMEN IN UNION: ALANA THOMAS". Melbourne Rugby. 2018-05-30. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
  11. "Alana Thomas eager to soak up high-performance experience with Fiji at RWC 2021". www.women.rugby. 2020-11-17. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
  12. "Rugby World Cup 2021 coaching intern confirmed for Fiji". www.rugbyworldcup.com. 2020-11-16. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
  13. "Melbourne Rebels confirm coaching group for 2023 Super W season". melbournerebels.rugby. 2022-10-31. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
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