Matt Shipway

Matt Shipway (born 11 September 1985) is a United States international rugby league footballer and coach of the Port Macquarie Sharks. He primarily plays as a second-row.

Matt Shipway
Personal information
Full nameMatthew Shipway[1]
Born (1985-09-11) 11 September 1985
Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
Height175 cm (5 ft 9 in)
Weight97 kg (15 st 4 lb)
Playing information
PositionSecond-row
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2008–10 Macquarie Scorpions
2010–14 South Newcastle Lions
2014 Boston Thirteens
Total 0 0 0 0 0
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2013–17 United States 6 1 0 0 4
2013 Newcastle Rebels
Coaching information
Club
Years Team Gms W D L W%
2015 Port Macquarie Sharks
Source: [2]
As of 29 January 2021

Background

Shipway was born in Newcastle, New South Wales.[3] He is of American descent through his grandparents.[4]

Playing career

In 2006, Shipway captained the Port Macquarie Sharks to a premiership, before moving back to Newcastle two years later.[5]

After moving to Newcastle, Shipway signed to play for The Entrance Tigers,[6] only for the team to fold before he could play a game.[5]

In 2008, Shipway joined the Macquarie Scorpions in the Newcastle Rugby League.[5]

In 2010, Shipway signed with the South Newcastle Lions, taking on the captain-coach role in 2011.[7][8]

In 2012, Shipway was on standby for various games for the Newcastle Knights' New South Wales Cup team, as a possible fill-in for injuries.[9]

In 2013, Shipway gave up the coaching side of his captain-coach role to concentrate more on his game.[5]

In June 2013, Shipway played for the Newcastle Rebels representative team.[10]

In October 2013, Shipway was named in the New South Wales Country Residents team to tour South Africa.[6] Before the tournament, he credited his selection in the team to his decision to give up the coaching role at South Newcastle that year to concentrate on his game saying, "I think I still played pretty good footy as the captain-coach, but the move allowed me to concentrate more on my game and the biggest thing was not having to worry about anyone else. As the captain-coach I'd have to turn up and watch the first two games and talk to the other coaches then go in the sheds and try and get everyone else ready for the game as well."[5] He eventually had to leave the team mid-tour on 10 October 2013, as he was named in the United States 2013 Rugby League World Cup squad.[1]

Shipway played in the United States 22-18 warm up game win over France where he scored a try, before playing 4 games in the World Cup tournament.[11][12] His tour helped him develop a cult following back in Port Macquarie, where his friend Joe Cudmore started the Facebook page "The red-headed Sonny Bill Williams".[13]

In 2014, Shipway joined the Boston Thirteens in the USA Rugby League.[3]

In 2015, Shipway became the coach of the Port Macquarie Sharks.

In 2018, Shipway coached and played in Port Macquarie's first premiership win in 20 years.[14]

References
  1. "Rugby League Planet - United States name 24 man 2013 RLWC Squad". Rugbyleagueplanet.com. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  2. RLP
  3. "World Cup Star Arrives In Boston". Boston13s.com. 29 May 2014. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  4. Mascord, Steve (20 October 2013). "Government to recognise South African rugby league's status". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  5. Ward, Chris (2 October 2013). "Matt Shipway's footy safari". Portnews.com.au. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  6. Government to recognise South African rugby league's status smh.com.au, 20 October 2013
  7. LEESON, JOSH (22 August 2013). "Mates leaving Lions with feeling of pride". Theherald.com.au. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  8. LEESON, JOSH (24 August 2012). "Lions ready to roar into finals". Theherald.com.au. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  9. Media, Australian Community Media - Fairfax (9 September 2012). "Knights NSW Cup campaign". Theherald.com.au. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  10. "senior rebels side announced. - Newcastle Rugby League". Newcastlerugbyleague.com.au. 20 May 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  11. "USA Tomahawks team to face France tonight includes former Wolves player". Warrington Guardian. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  12. "USA shock France in Cup warm-up". Nrl.com. 18 October 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  13. Matt Shipway, the red-headed Sonny Bill Williams, by Chris Ward, dated 27 November 2013.
  14. "How sweet it is: Sharks complete fairytale Group 3 season". 26 August 2018.
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