Brendan Sheridan joins the Bulls
Bradford Bulls are delighted to announce Brendan Sheridan has joined the club as one of our Pathways Assistant Coaches.
Sheridan has served as an assistant coach for Oldham RLFC since 2019 and was crucial in the side securing promotion last season. As well as his role at Oldham, Brendan has also coached Ireland’s Under-16 team.
He is excited to take on this role and is ready to shape the next generation of Bulls stars. Reflecting on the magnitude of the job, Sheridan said, “It’s a massive responsibility. With the size of a club like Bradford, you know that building a team for Super League success starts from the foundation, and that foundation is the kids.” He added “The standards, the integrity especially with a club like Bradford are built on honesty and the development of young talent.
“The key is getting to know the person first, the player second. Trust and welfare are crucial, particularly with younger academy kids,” he shared. While at Oldham, Sheridan enjoyed a fruitful year, but he’s especially excited about diving deeper into hands-on coaching at the Academy level. “At Bradford, I’ll be doing more coaching, and that’s what I’m really looking forward to.” he said.
When it comes to his philosophy for youth development, Sheridan places equal importance on fostering individual creativity and aligning with the club’s tactical framework. “You need a system that works, but I believe in encouraging players to enjoy their football and play eyes-up footy. When the game becomes robotic, it takes the fun out of it, I am not a robotic coach.”
Looking ahead to the new season, Sheridan’s goals for the Academy players are clear. “I’m big on defence, making sure the standards are high and the philosophy around how we’re going to defend is solid.”
Though coaching at the Academy level presents its own unique challenges compared to working with senior players, Sheridan sees the potential for real individual growth. “The age difference is significant, but it’s about getting the best out of each individual. One-to-one development is key, making better players but also better people,” he noted. He firmly believes that building strong character and culture within the Academy will have a lasting impact on the club’s future success.
Bradford Bulls Head of Youth Ryan Hunkin, who is sponsored by Fleur Hall, said:
“I am delighted to welcome Brendan Sheridan to the Bulls. Brendan is a highly respected coach within Rugby League circles and his experience and coaching nous will prove hugely valuable to our Pathway sides next year.
“It’s another coup for us to be able to attract someone of the calibre of Brendan, who has played a key role in a successful Oldham side most recently alongside other prominent coaching roles in the last few years.
“Brendan will compliment what Nathan Graham will bring to the club and with the duo working alongside head coach Jonathan Schofield, I am excited to see the progression of our pathway players under their guidance.”