{{Short description|NZ rugby union coach}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=February 2024}} {{Infobox rugby biography | image = | image_size = | alt = | caption = | birth_date = | birth_place =Port Elizabeth, South Africa | amatyears1 = | amatteam1 = | amatapps1 = | amatpoints1 = | years1 = | clubs1 = | apps1 = | points1 = | coachyears1 =2022 | coachteams1 =Hurricanes Poua | coachyears2 =2015–2022 | coachteams2 ={{nwrut|New Zealand}} Women (Assistant) | coachyears3 =2010–2013 | coachteams3 =Manawatu Turbos (Assistant) | coachyears4 =2025- | coachteams4 =Manawatu Turbos }} '''Wesley Clarke''' is a New Zealand rugby union coach. He is currently the coach of the Manawatu Turbos in the National Provincial Championship.
== Biography == Clarke was born in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. He moved to Auckland to play rugby but concussions ended his playing career.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eade |first=Shaun |date=2016-09-14 |title=Wesley Clarke considering taking a crack at vacant New Zealand sevens coaching roles |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/sport/84257797/wesley-clarke-considering-taking-a-crack-at-vacant-new-zealand-sevens-coaching-roles |access-date=2022-03-21 |website=Stuff |language=en}}</ref>
He was the manager and then assistant coach of Manawatu from 2011 to 2013.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last= |title=Wesley Clarke |url=https://www.manawaturugby.co.nz/coaches/coaches/wesley-clarke |access-date=2022-03-21 |website=www.manawaturugby.co.nz |language=en-gb}}</ref> He was also head coach of the Manawatū Cyclones in 2009 and 2013 and coached the Manawatū Women’s Sevens title to back-to-back national finals, including the title in 2016. Clarke was assistant coach of the Black Ferns from 2015 to 2022, which included victories in the 2017 and 2022 World Cup.
In 2021 Clarke was appointed as the Hurricanes Poua Head Coach ahead of the inaugural season of Super Rugby Aupiki.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last= |date=2022-01-29 |title=Hurricanes Confirm Women's Coaching Group for 2022 |url=https://rugbyheartland.co.nz/wp/2022/01/29/hurricanes-confirm-womens-coaching-group-for-2022/ |access-date=2022-03-21 |website=RUGBY HEARTLAND |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=6 October 2021 |title=Wes Clarke named as Hurricanes Women's Head Coach for Super Rugby Aupiki |url=https://www.hurricanes.co.nz/news/article/wes-clarke-named-as-hurricanes-womens-head-coach-for-super-rugby-aupiki/ |access-date=2022-03-21 |website=Hurricanes |language=en}}</ref> He stood down after the 2022 season. He was also assistant coach of the New Zealand national under-20 rugby union team in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rugbydatabase.co.nz/coach/index.php?coachId=514|title=Rugby Database: Wesley Clarke Coching Profile & Stats|website=www.rugbydatabase.co.nz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rugbyhistory.co.nz/coach/wesley-clarke-coach|title=Wesley Clarke (Coach) | New Zealand Rugby History|first=VCS Websites (NZ)-Lower Hutt and Wellington|last=www.vcsnet.co.nz|website=www.rugbyhistory.co.nz}}</ref>
After a stint as defence coach at the Kobelco Kobe Steelers in Japan Rugby League One he was appointed as coach of the Manawatu Turbos<ref>https://www.manawaturugby.co.nz/newsarticle/147376?</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360527951/all-homework-wesley-clarke-settles-new-job-afar|title=The Post|website=www.thepost.co.nz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360764924/coach-wesley-clarke-gets-speed-turbos|title=The Post|website=www.thepost.co.nz}}</ref>
Clarke is married to Former Black Fern Farah Palmer.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Stanley |first=Ashley |date=2020-09-24 |title=Where is she now? Farah Palmer |url=https://www.newsroom.co.nz/lockerroom/page/where-is-she-now-farah-palmer |access-date=2022-03-21 |website=Newsroom |language=en-AU}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
{{Manawatu NPC squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Clarke, Wesley}} Category:Living people Category:New Zealand rugby union coaches Category:Year of birth missing (living people)