MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT: PARRAMATTA EELS SEIZE DEFINING MOMENT AS LEGEND NATHAN HINDMARSH RETURNS HOME
In a movement that will be etched into the club’s history forever, Parramatta Eels have secured one of the most significant appointments in their 75-year story, with former captain and rugby league icon Nathan Hindmarsh returning to CommBank Stadium in dual senior roles. The announcement sent waves of excitement through the blue and gold faithful, marking a pivotal opportunity to unite the club’s proud past with its ambitious future.
Hindmarsh will rejoin the Eels as Senior Coaching Consultant and Head of Football (Attack & Spine), while also leading player personal development programs – a comprehensive role designed to leverage his unparalleled understanding of the club’s culture and elite-level expertise. The special reveal at CommBank Stadium drew thousands of fans, whose thunderous cheers echoed across the stands as the legend stepped back onto hallowed ground he graced for fifteen seasons.
“This moment is bigger than me – it’s about bringing everything I’ve learned back to where it all began,” Hindmarsh said, addressing the packed crowd. “The Eels movement is built on passion, resilience and community, and I’m honoured to play my part in writing the next chapter for this incredible club.”
His legacy at Parramatta is unmatched. Hindmarsh holds the all-time club record with 330 appearances, was inducted into the Eels Hall of Fame in 2015, and broke new ground as the first player in NRL history to register over 12,000 career tackles – a feat that embodies his tireless defensive commitment and extraordinary work ethic.
He claimed multiple Ken Thornett Medals as the club’s Player of the Year, earned recognition as Dally M Second Rower of the Year, and took home the Provan-Summons Medal as the league’s most popular player – a testament to his connection with fans across the game.
Eels Chairman Sean Russo described the appointment as a defining moment for the organisation: “Bringing Nathan back is about more than coaching – it’s about reaffirming our identity and giving our players, staff and supporters a figure who represents everything we stand for. This movement will be remembered as the moment we strengthened the bond between our rich heritage and our drive for premiership success.”
Hindmarsh will commence duties immediately, collaborating with the coaching team to finalise preparations for the upcoming season as the Eels look to translate this historic homecoming into on-field achievement.
