From www.nrl.com:
Premiership winning coach Ricky Stuart has been officially appointed as head coach of the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.
Sharks Chairman Barry Pierce confirmed the new two-year contract at a press conference held at Sharks Leagues Club today.
The current Australian coach, Stuart was excited about the opportunity and is optimistic about what the future holds at the Sharks.
“The overwhelming factor that attracted me to apply for the Sharks job was the club's massive potential to be a major force in the NRL,†Stuart said. “The Shire offers a very powerful junior rugby league nursery that provides a clear and exciting pathway to the Sharks senior team.
“Along with my colleagues Shane Flanagan and Jim Dymock, hopefully we can bring a level of expertise and enthusiasm that will merge successfully with everyone involved in the Sharks football department,†he added.
“On a personal note, returning to live in the area after a break of a few years is something my family and I are very much looking forward toâ€Â.
Stuart comes to the Sharks with a coaching record that includes a Premiership victory with the Roosters in 2002, a State of Origin series success in 2005 and a win in the Anzac Test in his first assignment as Australian coach earlier in the year. His Roosters teams contested three Grand Finals in succession in 2002, 2003 and 2004.
As a player, Stuart was a member of the champion Raiders sides of the late 1980s and early 1990s, winning three premiership titles while playing over 200 games for the Canberra club. Stuart also played nine Test matches for Australia and 14 games for NSW in the State of Origin Series. He also won numerous individual awards,
Including the Clive Churchill Medal in 1990 and the Rothmans Medal and Dally M double in 1993.
He began his coaching career at the Bulldogs, steering their Jersey Flegg side to the title in 2001, before moving to the Roosters prior to the start of the 2002 season.
Sharks Chairman Barry Pierce, while explaining that the club had fielded applications and enquiries regarding the coaching position from a number of highly qualified candidates, felt that the board had made the correct choice and was thrilled about the prospects for 2007 and beyond.
“By obtaining Ricky Stuart, the Premiership winning and Australian coach, the sponsors, members and supporters of the Sharks can certainly be excited about what Ricky can bring to the team and to the club,†Pierce said.
In addition to Ricky Stuart, the Sharks also announced the appointments of Shane Flanagan as Stuart’s assistant coach and Jim Dymock, whose talents will spread across a number of key areas in the senior coaching framework. Both men have worked extensively with Stuart in the past. Stuart’s management The Fordham Company handled their negotiations with the Sharks.
While Dymock forged a reputation as an outstanding player for both the Bulldogs and Eels, Flanagan also comes to the club with excellent credentials. Stuart’s assistant for the past two years and the Roosters Premier League and Jersey Flegg coach prior to that, Flanagan coached the Roosters Jersey Flegg side to a title in 2004, ironically against the Sharks in an extra time Grand Final day thriller. Flanagan’s Roosters were undefeated during the 2004 season.
Flanagan will oversee pre-season training until late November when Stuart’s duties with the Australian Tri Nations series have concluded.
Premiership winning coach Ricky Stuart has been officially appointed as head coach of the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.
Sharks Chairman Barry Pierce confirmed the new two-year contract at a press conference held at Sharks Leagues Club today.
The current Australian coach, Stuart was excited about the opportunity and is optimistic about what the future holds at the Sharks.
“The overwhelming factor that attracted me to apply for the Sharks job was the club's massive potential to be a major force in the NRL,†Stuart said. “The Shire offers a very powerful junior rugby league nursery that provides a clear and exciting pathway to the Sharks senior team.
“Along with my colleagues Shane Flanagan and Jim Dymock, hopefully we can bring a level of expertise and enthusiasm that will merge successfully with everyone involved in the Sharks football department,†he added.
“On a personal note, returning to live in the area after a break of a few years is something my family and I are very much looking forward toâ€Â.
Stuart comes to the Sharks with a coaching record that includes a Premiership victory with the Roosters in 2002, a State of Origin series success in 2005 and a win in the Anzac Test in his first assignment as Australian coach earlier in the year. His Roosters teams contested three Grand Finals in succession in 2002, 2003 and 2004.
As a player, Stuart was a member of the champion Raiders sides of the late 1980s and early 1990s, winning three premiership titles while playing over 200 games for the Canberra club. Stuart also played nine Test matches for Australia and 14 games for NSW in the State of Origin Series. He also won numerous individual awards,
Including the Clive Churchill Medal in 1990 and the Rothmans Medal and Dally M double in 1993.
He began his coaching career at the Bulldogs, steering their Jersey Flegg side to the title in 2001, before moving to the Roosters prior to the start of the 2002 season.
Sharks Chairman Barry Pierce, while explaining that the club had fielded applications and enquiries regarding the coaching position from a number of highly qualified candidates, felt that the board had made the correct choice and was thrilled about the prospects for 2007 and beyond.
“By obtaining Ricky Stuart, the Premiership winning and Australian coach, the sponsors, members and supporters of the Sharks can certainly be excited about what Ricky can bring to the team and to the club,†Pierce said.
In addition to Ricky Stuart, the Sharks also announced the appointments of Shane Flanagan as Stuart’s assistant coach and Jim Dymock, whose talents will spread across a number of key areas in the senior coaching framework. Both men have worked extensively with Stuart in the past. Stuart’s management The Fordham Company handled their negotiations with the Sharks.
While Dymock forged a reputation as an outstanding player for both the Bulldogs and Eels, Flanagan also comes to the club with excellent credentials. Stuart’s assistant for the past two years and the Roosters Premier League and Jersey Flegg coach prior to that, Flanagan coached the Roosters Jersey Flegg side to a title in 2004, ironically against the Sharks in an extra time Grand Final day thriller. Flanagan’s Roosters were undefeated during the 2004 season.
Flanagan will oversee pre-season training until late November when Stuart’s duties with the Australian Tri Nations series have concluded.
