Football Staff Profiles
Adrian Thomson – Football Operations Manager
Adrian brings extensive experience to the position of Football Operations Manager having been involved in the game of rugby league for three decades, not only has he won three QRL State Championships with the Northern Marlins but he has also coached Townsville Brothers to five premierships in the Townsville and Districts Rugby League competition.
“Happy” began working with the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys as the recruitment manager, he was promoted to a coaching role as one of three coaching assistants to Head Coach Paul Green for the 2014 season.
At the Cowboys, Thomson was tasked with working closely with NRL squad members who were playing in the Intrust Super Cup and this experience will serve him well as the Townsville & Districts Mendi Blackhawks begin recruitment for the inaugural squad. Further bolstering Thomson’s knowledge of player selections and talent in the Queensland region he has served as a Selector for the Queensland Rangers, Queensland Country & Queensland Resident teams; as well as Queensland State of Origin Under 20s and the Australian Junior Kangaroos.
Terry Campese – Head Coach
Terry Campese is Head Coach of the Mendi Blackhawks. Terry spent 12 years playing for the Canberra Raiders including 5 years as Captain. During these years he also represented NSW and Australia. After the Raiders Terry spent 2 years in England playing for Hull Kingston Rovers also as Captain.
Since retiring from professional Rugby League in 2017 he has coached the Queanbeyan Blues, Monaro Colts and Senior Men’s Country NSW teams.
Terry is passionate about helping young people achieve their dreams and is looking forward to a big season in 2024 for the Mendi Blackhawks.
Mark Henry – Head Strength & Conditioning Coach
Mark Henry, a former professional rugby league player, boasts a career with the North Queensland Cowboys from 2006 to 2008 and the Salford City Reds from 2009 to 2011. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sports and Exercise Science from James Cook University, a Master’s degree in Sports and Exercise Science from Edith Cowan University, and a degree in Human Nutrition from the University of Canberra. Mark transitioned into the Strength and Conditioning Coach role for the Canberra Raiders from 2011 to 2013 and subsequently for the North Queensland Cowboys from 2013 to the present. Alongside his coaching career, Mark excels as a Masters weightlifter and demonstrates a keen focus on sports nutrition and use of supplements within sport performance.
His addition will be a valuable asset to the Mendi Blackhawks having been involved as a player and having the knowledge he has gained from study and as a player that will help the Blackhawks in 2025.
Daniel Strickland – Strength & Conditioning Coach
Daniel was our inaugural strength and conditioning coach but now is involved on a part time basis due to his business commitments. Daniel brings on-field and off-field knowledge with him to his role as Strength and Conditioning Coach. He played 67 first grade games for the NQ Cowboys between 2000-2006 and started FIT Solutions in 2004 while still playing professional rugby league. Daniel also spent a season as Trainer for the NQ Cowboys NYC squad in 2008. He is now Owner operator of FIT Solutions/CrossFit Townsville.
James Tamou – Community Engagement
As a former professional Rugby Leagues player James hopes to bring a wealth of experience, showcasing leadership and motivational abilities to the Mendi Blackhawks in 2024. With a career that spanned over 15 years in the NRL, James has achieved some highly notable milestones that he will continue to use to embody the values of discipline, teamwork and adaptability he learned over the years with the current players.
Off the field, James’ passion is helping in community based work with the youth, leveraging the skills he has obtained from the world of sports. A goal in this field for James is also to continue pushing boundaries and helping others to reach their full potentials on and off the field.
Brendan Logan – Welfare
Brendan was born and raised as one of seven children in St George Queensland before the family moved to Toowoomba. On completion of school at St Mary’s CBC he attended Kelvin Grove Teachers College where he spent four years doing a three-year Diploma in Physical Education.
Brendan began teaching in 1988 at Collinsville High School and this is where his love of North Queensland began. A transfer in 1989 brought him to Townsville. Apart from a three-year stint in Perth, where he met his wife Sally, Townsville has been home. They have two daughters, Isabelle and Holly.
Brendan has taught at Heatley High School, Ignatius Park College and Townsville Flexible Learning Centre. Along the way he has played football for Collinsville, Mosman Cottesloe (Perth) and Brothers (Townsvillle) (League and Union).
Brendan has been the Wellbeing Manager at The Townsville Mendi Blackhawks since 2018. Wellbeing is not just physical. It is also psychological, family, relationships, cultural, spiritual, career, financial, environmental and community. To be their best on the field our young men need to have things in order off the field. Brendan’s role is to offer support in all aspects of wellbeing and if required, engage our young men with people and services who can help them be the best they can be.
We want our young men to be ambassadors for our club and for the game. We want them to enjoy playing the great game of Rugby League and we want them to flourish in the great game of life.
