Stanley Alexander Martin (15 April 1953 – 10 September 2025) was a New Zealand rugby league footballer who played in the 1950s through to the 1980s, and coached in the 1990s and 2000s. He coached at representative level for the Cook Islands at the 2000 World Cup and New Zealand Women (Kiwi Ferns) to victory in the 2008 Women's Rugby League World Cup, and at club level for Marist Saints, Counties Manukau and Whitehaven.
Playing career A Richmond Bulldogs player in the Auckland Rugby League competition, Martin won the Rothville Trophy in 1980 as the Premier One player of the year. He toured Australia in 1973 with the Auckland under-23 side. Coffey, John and Bernie Wood Auckland, 100 years of rugby league, 1909-2009, 2009. . p.224.
Coaching career Martin began his career coaching the Marist Saints in the Auckland Rugby League.Lion Red Rugby League Annual 1994, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1994. p.106
Martin was the inaugural coach of the Counties Manukau Heroes in the Lion Red Cup between 1994 and 1995. At the end of the 1994 season he was named the coach of the year.Lion Red Rugby League Annual 1994, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1994. p.98 In 1995 Martin was also the coach of the Junior Kiwis.Lion Red Rugby League Annual 1995, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1995. p.161
Martin then left New Zealand, signing with Whitehaven in England. He coached Whitehaven for four years before returning to New Zealand. During his time at Whitehaven he enticed a number of New Zealand players to join the club; Aaron Lester, David Fatialofa, Leroy Joe, Siose Muliumu and Gus Malietoa-Brown. Whitehaven News, 23 September 2010 He still retained close links with the club.Ex-boss Stan Martin eyeing up foreign talent for Whitehaven News & Star, 8 December 2010
At the 2000 World Cup Martin coached the Cook Islands team.Kiwis will test survival hope of Islands The Independent, 2 November 2000
In 1999, 2001, 2004 and 2005 Martin coached the Auckland side.
In 2005, Martin was appointed coach of the Kiwi Ferns, the New Zealand women's national team. He remained in this position until 2010, when he shifted to the role of technical advisor.Woman Appointed As Kiwi Ferns Head NZRL, 23 March 2010'Surprise' callup for rising star Hawke's Bay Today, 23 October 2008
Beginning in 2009, Martin was a registered player agent for the NRL.Player Agents RLPA
Death Martin died on 10 September 2025, at the age of 72.Stan Martin, influential coach and player agent passes away aged 72
References
External links Player Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org Coach Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org