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Bears Coaching Chat

SirPies&Beers

SirPies&Beers

Juniors
Messages
1,713
www.irrigator.com.au

Mal's Mission: How Meninga plans to poke the Bears

NRL Immortal Mal Meninga says it is a 'great privilege and responsibility' to be appointed head coach of...
www.irrigator.com.au www.irrigator.com.au

www.rnz.co.nz

Australian rugby league legend Mal Meninga as coach of new Perth Bears NRL team

Mal Meninga has been named as the Perth Bears' foundation coach in the lead-up to their debut NRL season in 2027.
www.rnz.co.nz www.rnz.co.nz

www.foxsports.com.au

‘Bigger than me’ — Mal Meninga named Bears coach as Kangaroos call made

‘This is bigger than me’ — Meninga named Bears coach as big Kangaroos call made
www.foxsports.com.au www.foxsports.com.au

www.afr.com

Mal Meninga named inaugural coach of the Perth Bears

Rugby League great Mal Meninga has been appointed the inaugural coach of the NRL’s Perth Bears.
www.afr.com www.afr.com

 
Perth Red

Perth Red

Post Whore
Messages
73,090
New Perth Bears coach Mal Meninga will draw on his experience from the early years at the Canberra Raiders as he prepares to bring the NRL’s 18th team to life in 2027.

Meninga, a household name in Australia for his achievements as a player and coach, has been tasked - along with CEO Anthony De Ceglie - with creating a new Perth-based club that links the rugby league community in Western Australia and the heritage of the North Sydney Bears.


The Raiders were the first expansion team to join the premiership from outside Sydney in 1982, along with Illawarra Steelers, and Meninga was among a group of players who helped Canberra develop into a powerhouse.
The rugby league Immortal - a three-times premiership winning captain, who also led Queensland and Australia before later coaching the Raiders, Maroons and Kangaroos - said Canberra's early success would be a blueprint for the Bears.

“I was part of the early years of the Raiders, the first club outside of Sydney, so I am part of that pioneering and I understand that,” Meninga told NRL.com.

“With a one city team, if you have the right people in the right places and have sustainable success, people will follow. They'll be part of that.

“If you're part of the community, there's a sense of belonging - the community feels that there's a sense of belonging and they'll follow you. That's the type of environment you want to try to have.

“I loved being part of the Raiders early in the piece. From there, we had a lot of success and then all of a sudden we would become part of the community.”

Meninga, who has stood down as Kangaroos coach after eight seasons and two World Cup wins, will officially start in his new position on July 1.
His first task will be to determine an identity for the new franchise which appeals to fans in Western Australia, who have been wanting a team in the NRL since the demise of the Perth Reds in 1997, and North Sydney supporters, who have been fighting for the return of the Bears since 2000.


“We need to understand what makes up a Perth Bear. I think that's really important from a startup position and then you build from there,” Meninga said.
“That's how you start to develop your culture and that sense of belonging, and that's how you start to recruit.

“It's a great opportunity, but you've got to think about what will get everyone over on the East Coast excited about the Perth Bears, and what's going to get people on the West Coast excited about the Perth Bears.

“It's about the growth of the game in WA but also at the same time, with the Perth Bears, it’s actually understanding the North Sydney Bears, and their history and heritage, and how you bring them along on that journey.
“I’ll be chatting to the people that have been influential in keeping the fires burning. I think that's a really important part of it all, and then trying to understand who are the Western Australian rugby league community and who are Western Australians.

“What makes Western Australians so successful in sport, because they're always renowned for their sporting prowess and their sporting teams have always had success; they're always punching above their weight and that's what we want to do.”

While the Bears don't join the NRL until 2027 and Meninga can't begin signing players before November 1, the game will have a strong presence in Perth with Origin II on June 18 and the Dolphins host the Knights on June 21.

“This is bigger than me," Meninga said. "I'm really excited and I'm really anxious. It's a huge responsibility to be given this opportunity, and I think it's fantastic, but it's bigger than me.

“I’ve got a tenure there where, with a lot of other great people, we are going to build a foundation that hopefully will be the start of a great future for Western Australian rugby league."
www.nrl.com

Raiders of the lost ark: Mal's plan to bring Bears to life

New Perth Bears coach Mal Meninga will draw on his experience from the early years at the Canberra as he takes charge of the NRL's 18th franchise.
www.nrl.com www.nrl.com
 
Red&BlackBear

Red&BlackBear

First Grade
Messages
5,797
Red&BlackBear said:
There will be minimal recruiting from Panthers stocks. FWIW there was a gentleman’s agreement. I know a few people online have been giddy at the stories re: Cleary’s joining Bears.

Settle down. Now that isn’t to say there won’t be Panthers players recruited, it just won’t be at the level that Dolphins raided Penrith’s youth system.
Click to expand...
Following this post in recruitment thread: that doesn’t mean the Panthers coaching ranks won’t be looked at. One of Peter Wallace or Ben Gardiner are being looked at as assistants. If one were to leave, Ben is most likely.

Both have coaching nous and in Ben’s case big potential. Andrew Webster like potential. They’re very similar characters in demeanour of how they approach the game.
 
Red&BlackBear

Red&BlackBear

First Grade
Messages
5,797
Drums sounds are getting louder for Gardiner. Still a lot of water to pass under the bridge though.

I have massive wraps on him. If it transpires then he would essentially be coaching from 2027 and would take over as head coach from 2029.

From what I hear he is definitely the front runner for that assistant coach position.

If you are someone that doesn’t watch a lot of footy or haven’t really been paying attention to the individual club systems that are in place around the competition, then you probably would be a tad naive to what Ben can bring.

Anyways, we will see what works out.
 
SirPies&Beers

SirPies&Beers

Juniors
Messages
1,713
B

Bukowski

Bench
Messages
3,084
He'd be a great appointment, did very well coachng wests magpies in KOE and assisting Maguire a few years ago. I think he was let go when they sacked Madge.
 
Dragonwest

Dragonwest

Juniors
Messages
1,875
Red&BlackBear said:
Drums sounds are getting louder for Gardiner. Still a lot of water to pass under the bridge though.

I have massive wraps on him. If it transpires then he would essentially be coaching from 2027 and would take over as head coach from 2029.

From what I hear he is definitely the front runner for that assistant coach position.

If you are someone that doesn’t watch a lot of footy or haven’t really been paying attention to the individual club systems that are in place around the competition, then you probably would be a tad naive to what Ben can bring.

Anyways, we will see what works out.
Click to expand...
If Gardiner offers what has been said then I think the NRL have taken a great approach with this combination over what either Brad Arthur or Burgess would have offered as the main man.
 
SirPies&Beers

SirPies&Beers

Juniors
Messages
1,713
Bukowski said:
www.nrl.com

Ben Gardiner to be Perth Bears assistant coach

The highly-regarded and experienced Ben Gardiner has joined the Perth Bears to be the assistant coach alongside Immortal and head coach Mal Meninga.
www.nrl.com www.nrl.com
Gardiner confirmed for 5 years
Click to expand...

www.zerotackle.com

Perth Bears confirm assistant coach appointment

He was once the coach of the North Sydney Bears, NSW Cup side.
www.zerotackle.com www.zerotackle.com

au.news.yahoo.com

Major blow for Panthers as two-time premiership winner signs with Perth Bears

Another key departure for the Penrith Panthers. Read more here.
au.news.yahoo.com au.news.yahoo.com

www.nine.com.au

Mal locks in 'Bears DNA' to inaugural coaching staff

'Very highly regarded'
www.nine.com.au www.nine.com.au
 
SirPies&Beers

SirPies&Beers

Juniors
Messages
1,713

‘Important milestone’: Panthers assistant Ben Gardiner signs long-term deal to join Mal Meninga’s coaching staff at Bears​

The Bears have landed another major signing with a key member of Penrith’s coaching staff set to join Mal Meninga in Perth.
Martin Gabor

2 min read
June 19, 2025 - 8:50AM
NewsWire


Inaugural Perth Bears coach Mal Meninga has locked in a key piece of his staff with Panthers assistant Ben Gardiner set to join the expansion side on a five-year deal that could mean he eventually takes over the team.
Gardiner is regarded as one of the best coaches in the game having played an important role as an assistant at the Panthers for their 2023 and 2024 premierships, while he’s also in charge of the Samoan side.
He will be a huge asset for Meninga in the club’s formative years, with Gardiner holding a special connection with the Bears having coached North Sydney for three seasons in the NSW Cup.
Ben Gardiner spent three years coaching the North Sydney Bears.

Ben Gardiner spent three years coaching the North Sydney Bears.
“I can’t wait to work closely with new people in Western Australia and build a hugely successful team over the next five years as we promote rugby league and grow the game,” he said.
“I have had a close relationship with the North Sydney Bears for a number of years where I was able to coach the NSW Cup team and work in coaching and recruitment as well as with the women’s team.
“These experiences allowed me to understand what makes that great club tick.
“These foundations need to be synergised into the Perth Bears to grow a collaboration of new and old.
“I have been able to experience success in winning systems across a number of elite clubs in the NRL and look forward to sharing that knowledge.”
While nothing has been suggested as of yet, the Bears could follow the Dolphins who had Wayne Bennett in charge for the first couple of years before Kristian Woolf took over.


It’s something Perth could look to do with Gardiner, who can learn off Meninga before eventually replacing him when the Immortal’s contract expires in 2028.
Ben Gardiner will join Mal Meninga’s coaching staff at the Bears. Pictures: NRL Imagery

Ben Gardiner will join Mal Meninga’s coaching staff at the Bears. Pictures: NRL Imagery
“He has worked with some great clubs and teams, at premiership and representative level, and he also has Bears DNA to add to his prolific experience,” Meninga said.
“I look forward to Ben helping us to build a club and culture which will set the Bears’ future on the right path.”
Gardiner will join the Bears at the end of the 2025 season and will remain Samoa coach as they prepare for next year’s World Cup.
“We’re extremely excited to have Ben join the team,” Perth Bears chief executive Anthony De Ceglie said.
“He’s a winner who’s renowned for his football knowledge and hard work ethic.
“This is another important milestone as we ensure the Perth Bears lay the right foundations for future success.”
Originally published as ‘Important milestone’: Panthers assistant Ben Gardiner signs long-term deal to join Mal Meninga’s coaching staff at Bears

 
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