The Burleigh Bears have announced the appointment of Rick Stone as head coach for the next two Intrust Super Cup seasons.
The two-time Intrust Super Cup premiership-winning coach is no stranger to the Bears, having previously coached over 200 games at the club from 1995 to 2005. In that time Stone lead the club to premierships in 1999 and 2004.
Stone left the Bears in 2005 to take up an assistant coaching role with the Newcastle Knights where he ultimately became head coach.
Stone has also held coaching positions with Huddersfield Giants (Super League), the Fiji Bati National Team, Sydney Roosters NRLW (2019) and is the current Lebanon National team head coach.
Bears CEO Damian Driscoll said the club had been inundated with applications for the position and securing a coach of Stone's ilk was the best outcome to lead the club forward.
“We are very excited to have Rick returning to the club as head coach. Rick has a thorough knowledge of our club and community, which are qualities that are important at the Bears," Driscoll said.
"Rick has an extensive coaching resume and we look forward to what he will bring to the Bears."
Stone said he was excited about the challenge of being back where it started.
“The Burleigh Bears mean a lot to me as they gave me my first opportunity to coach in the Intrust Super Cup," Stone said.
"I have great memories from my previous time at the club and look forward to more success.
"Jimmy (Lenihan) has left the club in great shape and I am excited to work with the current group of players and next generation of Intrust Super Cup players pushing through the club's development system. There is a lot to look forward to.”
