The SP PNG Hunters and PNG LNG Kumuls Assistant Coach Paul Aiton has been appointed the new head coach for the SP Hunters in the 2024 Queensland Rugby League season.
Aiton was an international player that played for the Penrith Panthers and the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the NRL. He also played for the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, Leeds Rhinos and the Catalans Dragons in the Super League.
His representative career began in 2004, where Aiton was selected to play for Papua New Guinea against Australia in a non-Test match.
In 2007, he played 3 matches for PNG during their end of season tour of Europe, and was named in the Papua New Guinea squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.
He captained Papua New Guinea in the 2010 Four Nations tournament and again played for Papua New Guinea in the 2013 as well as the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.
In 2021, he went on to become the assistant coach for the Hunters, where he served in that capacity until 2023 and he is now elevated to the Head Coach position, which was left vacant by former coach, Stanley Tepend.
This year has been huge for Aiton, having most recently worked alongside Justin Holbrook in the PNG Kumuls as the assistant coach, contributing to their victory in the Pacific Bowl Championship series.
Aiton is backed by a wealth of knowledge and experience to the head coach role. SP PNG Hunters management is confident that his appointment will help the Hunters reach greater heights next season.
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