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Longest serving coach
Wayne Bennett holds the record as the longest serving coach of the same club in Rugby League. His record for success is just as impressive. Bennett's team, the Brisbane Broncos, has won six Grand Finals from six appearances under his leadership. Wayne Bennett has a reputation that is the envy of coaches from all sporting fields, not just Rugby League.
Represented Queensland
As a player, Wayne Bennett represented Queensland on the wing and at fullback in seven matches against NSW from 1971 to 1973. He also played in two provincial tour matches for Australia on the 1971 tour of New Zealand. But his career as a coach would prove outstanding.
Coach and mentor
Not simply a coach, but a mentor to the players and team members under his leadership, Wayne Bennett has built a fine reputation. Bennett first coached Ipswich in 1976, then Brisbane clubs Souths and Brothers, taking Souths to a premiership in 1985.
Bennett was the Queensland Director of Coaching, before the Canberra Raiders offered him a full time coaching position at their club in 1987. That year, Bennett led the Raiders to their first ever Grand Final appearance.
Brisbane Broncos
In 1988, Wayne Bennett joined the Brisbane Broncos as their inaugural coach. 2006 marked another milestone for the club when Bennett coached them to Grand Final victory: their sixth win from six Grand Final appearances. Under his leadership, Broncos also played in two World Club Challenge titles, and won three pre-season titles: the Panasonic Cup ’89; Lotto Challenge ’91; and Tooheys Challenge ’95.
Bennett coached the successful Queensland State of Origin sides in 1987 and ’88, and was appointed the inaugural Queensland Super League coach for the 1997 Tri-Series against NSW and New Zealand. He made a successful return to State of Origin coaching in 1998, when guiding the Queensland team to an historic 2-1 series victory over NSW.
Chosen as Australian coach
The ultimate compliment came in 1998 when Bennett was chosen as the Australian coach for the final two tests of the series against New Zealand. Down one-nil in the series, Australian clinched the final two tests to secure the Trans-Tasman trophy.
Coach of the Year
The Broncos success in 1997 in winning both the Telstra Cup and the Visa World Club Championship resulted in Wayne Bennett being named the Super League ‘Coach of the Year’. 1998 is by far his most successful season in terms of results. He created history by becoming the first coach to steer his club, his state and his country to victory in their respective series.
1998 was also a year of personal recognition with Wayne being named the Queensland coach of the year by the Queensland Sport Federation, and Australian domestic teams coach of the year by the Australian Coaching Council.
Recognition as an outstanding leader
Wayne Bennett's recognition as an outstanding leader, coach and mentor is unquestioned. He is regarded in rugby league circles as one of the most influential, inspiring and innovative of our modern day coaches.
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