The Warriors have re-signed head coach Andrew Webster until the end of 2028, just 12 months into the rookie mentor’s spell at the helm.
The 41-year-old former Penrith assistant, who signed a three-year deal when he joined the club ahead of the 2023 season, has earned the extension after taking the Warriors to a preliminary final for the first time since 2011.
The new deal gives the Warriors stability and is a huge vote of confidence in Webster after he steered the club to their first finals appearance in five years.
Warriors CEO Cameron George said the Dally M coach of the year had shown in just one season he was the mentor for the present and the future.
If Webster sees out his tenure he will join Ivan Cleary (2006-2011) as the longest-serving head coach in the Warriors’ history.
“Andrew has confirmed to us that he’s the right fit for our club and his skills as a coach are what we need to cement our long-term development through our pathways,” George said.
“He did an extremely good job this season and we have every confidence that he’ll continue to grow into the role.
“Another important element of extending his contract is that the stars of the future can see stability in long-term planning in the head coaching role, and they see a coach who is driven to develop players of all age groups to become NRL players of the future for the Warriors.”
Webster was an assistant coach at the Warriors in 2015 and 2016, before moving away to further enhance his craft and experience.
He said he had found a home at the New Zealand-based club.
“I never wanted to leave in the first place so now I get to lock up the future which I’m really grateful for,” Webster said.
“It was great being here as an assistant when I was at the club the first time and it’s even better now.
“There’s a bright future from our pathways through to our NRL roster and … I truly feel we will have sustained success.”
Webster has overseen improvement in the entire Warriors squad, from Dally M halfback of the year Shaun Johnson to up-and-coming stars including five-eighth Luke Metcalf.
Winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and prop Addin Fonua-Blake enjoyed career-best seasons in 2023 and made the Dally M team of the year.
Webster has already brought former captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck back to the club to add strike to an already potent Warriors backline.
© AAP
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