Tony Rea

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Tony Rea sits of the board of Harlequins Rugby League with key responsibilities for elite player development and recruitment including all Academy and Scholarship functions. He also served the club as a player between 1994-1996, chief executive from 1997-2000 and head coach from 2000 to July 2006.

Rea was born on 25th July 1966 in Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia. He began his playing career in 1984 in the local Brisbane competition at the Brothers club. In 1998, he was snapped up to play in the premier NSWRL competition by North Sydney Bears, mainly playing in the hooking position. He spent six happy years at the Bears.

He was recruited along with many fellow Antipodeans in 1994 by the new Australian owners of the London rugby league club, who changed the name of the club from London Crusaders to London Broncos. He played for the club during the change of top-flight rugby league in England from the winter season to summer Rugby League, with the advent of the new Super League competition in 1996.

After 47 London appearances scoring 11 tries, Rea retired from playing at the end of the inaugural Super League season in 1996 to take up the Chief Executive role at the club. He stayed in the role until 2000.

Key moments during his time as Chief Executive include:-

  • 1997 - London Broncos defeat top Australian side Canberra Raiders in the ill-fated Super League World Club Championship series
  • 1997 - Richard Branson's Virgin empire buy a majority stake in the club (Virgin sold stake in club in 2001)
  • 1998 - Head coach Tony Currie leaves the club at the end of the 1998 Super League season
  • 1999 - Club appoints Dan Stains as head coach; Stains leads Broncos to first Challenge Cup final in the club's (Fulham, London Crusaders, Broncos) history. Broncos lose in the final against Leeds Rhinos
  • 1999 - Club sacks Stains after Broncos endure long losing streak during the 1999 Super League campaign. Rea appointed temporary joint head coach with Stains' assistant Les Kiss. Rea and Kiss manage to steer Broncos out of slump.
  • 2000 - Club appoint John Monie as head coach. Monie only stays in the job until the last month of the 2000 Super League season, the club endured a mediocre season during his tenure. Rea takes over caretaker coach until the end of the season, Broncos sail to mid-table security

Rea was persuaded at the end of the 2000 season to become head coach on a full-time basis, so this meant he had to resign his Chief Executive role. During his time as head coach, he led the Broncos to two post-regular season Super League play-off appearances (in 2003 and 2005).

On 8th July 2006, after a disappointing run of form for the team, the Harlequins Rugby League club announced a re-organisation of the coaching set-up. Rea was replaced as head coach by Leeds Rhinos' assistant coach Brian McDermott, but was appointed to his current position on the club's board of directors.


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