New BMD Premiership coaches of 2024: Ward at Devils

Coaching history

A former Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons and Australian Jillaroos sensation, Ward retired from playing in 2022. From here, she jumped straight into coaching, throwing herself into a number of roles across a variety of teams.

Ward worked under both Kelvin Wright and Scott Prince with the Brisbane Broncos NRLW teams, as well as Jamie Soward at St George Illawarra Dragons.

She has also been involved in the representative space, supporting Tahnee Norris with the women's Queensland State of Origin team, and assisting both Ben Jeffries and then Deanna Turner for two Queensland Under 19 Girls' campaigns, as well as Jeffries for the PNG Orchids.

In 2023, Ward was part of the Norths Devils' BMD Premiership coaching staff for their inaugural season, as an assistant coach to Zac Wallwork.

This year, she takes over as head coach for the first time in her career.

Q&A with Meg Ward

How does it feel to be promoted to coach of the Norths Devils' BMD Premiership team?

I got a bit teary when they first called me about it. Initially I felt, not overwhelmed, but just emotional because I’ve been building to this moment. It all then hit me within like 10 minutes that I have to plan this and do that. As an assistant you just sort of walk in and the coach has done everything. So this gives me an appreciation to all the head coaches I’ve worked with and still work with now. I reach out to them a lot more now because it helps me understand how much they have going on. To be at the Norths Devils where I had such a good experience last year, you can see how passionate they are and I’m grateful they gave me this opportunity.

What is your coaching philosophy?

If people are having a good time, if they feel safe and comfortable, they’ll work harder for you. I want to create a really good culture around the group and I feel we’ll get more out of the players. Being in BMD, NRLW and State of Origin, there’s a massive intensity difference in the training so it’s also about closing that gap. It’s about getting them prepped for it. To me, it’s so important we talk about the development of the players but also the development of the coaches. The better the coaches, the better the player development will be coming through.

Who would you say is your mentor or strongest influence in coaching?

I've learnt so many different things. I have such close relationships with BJ (Ben Jeffries) and Tahnee Norris because we’ve spent so much time together. In the World Cup I was away for six weeks with BJ (for Orchids) and he gave me so much responsibility. With Tahnee, I have shadowed her everywhere and Kelvin Wright also took me under his wing massively. They have their different coaching styles that I’ve learnt from. I feel really grateful that I’ve had multiple mentors that have been such big influences. And since I’ve been given the role here at Norths, they've all reached out and said, 'if there's anything you need, let us know.' They've offered to come to sessions or told me to call and ask questions. I had a good chat with Tahnee about setting up my pre-season.

What are your first impressions of your squad?

I’m actually so excited. I have a mix of experienced girls, have brought in some young ones, and some hitting their prime. They have that want and drive. A big part of pulling my team together, I had a bit of a 'no dickhead' policy. I really wanted to bring in girls I knew would be really good around the squad. Everyone wants to get in, work hard and wants the best for the team. That was a big reasoning behind who I have brought in and who I want.

What are your goals for season 2024?

A lot of coaches talk about winning but for me, I want to develop a really good group of girls and I want them to love footy... I want them to finish the season saying how much fun they had and that they want to come back. If you can grow that group, you can continue to develop them more and more. Just having that group of girls that want to come back and be involved next year, if I could bring back the majority of the group, then I’d know I had a successful year.

Who within your squad will make their mark in 2024?

There's a lot to look forward to but one I’m really excited about bringing into the squad is Georgia Hannaway. She started off at league, transferred to rugby and is coming back. She’s still quite young and I’m looking to working with her and seeing what she can bring.

Main image: Meg Ward. Photo: Christian Simms/Norths Devils