Nicole Slater has opened up about how she and her children are coping with Maroons coach husband Billy working in a job that has chewed up and spat out some of the biggest names in football.
After retiring from the NRL in 2018, Billy moved to a farm in Victoria with his wife of 15 years and their two children, daughter Tyla and son Jake, a year later.
Now the whole family will be at the MCG on Wednesday night to cheer on Queensland in game two of the State of Origin series.
“We have been very fortunate as a family to be able to wear our maroon jerseys every year,” said Nicole Slater. news corporation.
‘The children once again have the best seat in the house, since this year they are the ball boys again.
“It has been an honor to closely watch Billy’s transition from player to coach as I know the long days and nights he spends honing his craft to allow players to see themselves the way Billy sees them.”
Slater was handed the reins of the Maroons after Paul Green resigned following back-to-back losses in the opening two matches of the 2021 State of Origin series.
He then won the 2022 and 2023 series to establish himself as one of the best leaders of the Cane Toads.
Nicole Slater (pictured with husband Billy and children Jake and Tyla) has revealed how she and her children deal with her husband Billy working in one of the most high-pressure jobs in Australian sport.
Slater will coach the Maroons State of Origin team at the MCG on Wednesday night.
Nicole says she has learned a lot from watching her husband become a coach.
“I’ve learned a lot more since I started training,” he said.
‘His football IQ is fascinating when you’re not a football fan. “We can’t wait for Wednesday and show Victoria what rugby league has to offer, in what I think is the most entertaining game you will see.”
Last month, Slater was linked with a coaching job in the NRL but explained to the media he wasn’t interested because he didn’t want to disrupt his precious family time.
“I’m totally willing to work in Queensland and if I’m not coaching Queensland, I’m not coaching anyone else,” Slater told News Corp.
“I’ve been very direct with that.
‘For it (being linked to the Eels post) to be a statement from the last 24 hours… this is the first time I’ve been asked about this topic.
“I’m the Queensland coach and if I’m not the Queensland coach I don’t coach anyone.”
Nicole says she’s learned a lot from watching her husband coach the Maroons
Slater initially signed a two-year contract to begin a new era for Queensland.
After a very successful debut as Origin coach, the 40-year-old agreed a new three-year extension in September.
Now confirmed as Queensland coach until 2026, Slater remains a Storm legend and remains connected to Melbourne.
Many believe that Slater would excel as a club manager due to his strong work ethic, impressive track record and great attention to detail.
However, the Queensland Origin legend clearly stated that he currently has no interest in becoming one of the NRL’s 17 head coaches.
But it’s all down to his family, not any doubts about the pressure of being an NRL mentor.
“It’s not so much the pressure of the job in the NRL,” Slater said.
Slater had one of the toughest moments of his Origin coaching career when Reece Walsh (pictured together) was hit in a shocking tackle in the first game this year.
‘I’m not worried about that.
‘But being an NRL coach is a big commitment, it’s an 11-month-a-year, seven-day-a-week job.
‘I have been in and around the NRL environment for over two decades. I understand what those NRL coaches put into it and it’s all in there.
‘Where I am with my life and my family, I don’t see myself becoming an NRL coach in the near future.
“Maybe that will change in the future, you never say never, but I’m here to do my part for Queensland.”
“I’m happy in this role and if I’m not the head coach of Queensland, well, I’m not a coach.”