The New England Free Jacks are excited to share that current head coach, Ryan Martin, will serve as head coach of the Northland Taniwha during the Free Jacks off-season, having recently been promoted from Northland’s assistant to head coach for the 2025 New Zealand Bunnings Warehouse National Provincial Championship (NPC) season. 

The NPC which runs from late July to October, is a competition that is familiar to Free Jacks fans, with multiple current and former Free Jacks players competing in it during the MLR off-season. Current Free Jack Sam Caird currently plays for the Northland Taniwha, as does former Free Jack Terrell Peita, while other current Free Jacks such as Joe Johnston (Bay of Plenty), Jed Melvin (North Harbour), Simon-Peter Toleafoa (Counties Manukau), Faletoi Peni and Dan Hollinshead (Southland), compete for other NPC teams. 

 Martin will hold the role concurrently, alongside being head coach for the New England Free Jacks. With no competition overlap, Martin will be able to conduct both roles simultaneously.

“We are proud of Ryan earning what is a very prestigious role,” commented General Manager, Tom Kindley. 

“There are so many benefits to Marto taking this opportunity–including the ability to continue to develop and hone his coaching craft in a short and high-pressure competition like the NPC. It is a competition which has proved to be a great recruitment pool and development resource for us. We are excited to strengthen the mutually beneficial relationship with Northland and capitalize on what is a unique and exciting opportunity.”

Martin will depart to New Zealand in July after the 2025 season, whilst continuing his Free Jacks duties including navigating the 2025 MLR draft, providing coach development, recruitment and preparation for the 2026 MLR season. 

For more opportunities to engage with the Free Jacks community, stay updated on future Free Jacks matches, festivals, and announcements through the Free Jacks’ news page: www.freejacks.com/news