Rookie reward: Warriors put faith in Webster with long-term deal - 'I truly feel we'll have sustained success'

By News / Wire

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.

The Crowd Says:

2023-10-23T08:24:21+00:00

Succhi

Roar Rookie


Great to have a vision and stability. I recall Broncos saying the same about Seibold. Gus about Barrett. I really hope he and the Warriors do well, but I think the coach and club have gone on a first date and decided to get married.

2023-10-23T07:29:40+00:00

mushi

Roar Guru


The big key isn't sustained success, it's sustained commitment. Players can't develop if the system chops and changes, junior pipelines even more so. If the warriors suffer a NQ drop afyer a similar ascent they need patience.

2023-10-23T07:27:03+00:00

Forty Twenty

Roar Rookie


At this stage it looks like about 14 teams will make the top 8 next season but strangely enough one of the ''Three Plodders'' in The Dogs , Dragons and Tigers are likely to upset the apple cart and make the 8 just like the Warriors did last season. On the surface Webster has super powers beyond a super coach based on last season and it would be nice if he could continue down that track. It's a rocky track ahead though and it will be a big achievement to make the 8 I suspect. It's funny how a lot of talk centered around the Warriors having little hope of doing well due to travel burdens and other issues has died down in the last six months.

2023-10-23T04:46:33+00:00

Albo

Roar Rookie


The key will be to be able to maintain the same enthusiasm for success. I think he can do this with the return of RTS and another year of team development led by on-field managers Johnson & Harris . I see no reason why they can't be finalists again next season.

2023-10-23T04:11:37+00:00

Nat

Roar Guru


Robbie already has the blade sharpened for Benji…

2023-10-23T02:20:44+00:00

Tony Dargon

Roar Guru


Maybe some other desperate clubs were sniffing around

2023-10-23T01:23:20+00:00

jimmmy

Roar Rookie


Webster's a good guy and I think a good coach. It will be harder to succeed next year for sure but I give I give him a real show.

2023-10-23T01:19:57+00:00

Nat

Roar Guru


Congratulations to Webster but why the rush? They had two more years on the current contract. I suppose it must be full of ‘get out and ratchet’ clauses on both sides.

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