Danny Ward open to rugby league coaching return
Danny Ward has left the door open to a rugby league return; but is open to explore all available opportunities with coaching.
Ward, 41, enjoyed a successful stint with London Broncos which saw him earn promotion to Super League in his first season in charge.
The Broncos defeated then-favourites Toronto Wolfpack 4-2 in the Championship final to earn a spot in the top flight for the 2019 campaign.
He led London to 10 wins in the Super League season, only to be relegated in the final day of the season. His success saw him earn a spot on then-Great Britain head coach Wayne Bennett’s coaching staff, joining as assistant coach.
He departed the club mid-way through the 2021 season, and has since joined rugby union side Rosslyn Park.
“I’m really enjoying it,” Ward told Love Rugby League.
“It’s been nice to get back into coaching. It’s a familiar environment because it’s where the Broncos were based, so it was people I knew previously. There’s a great bunch of staff and players. It’s been good to get back on the field and coaching and learning.
“I got approached by them after I left Broncos; I’ve always been interested in rugby union.
“It was a perfect opportunity to go in and learn from a great bunch of people. It’s been a great experience.
“If the next opportunity comes up and it’s something that excites me, we’ll see what that is.”
Danny Ward’s passion for coaching
The former player has left the door open to a rugby league return; but he wouldn’t rush the process.
Rosslyn Park play their final fixture this weekend in National 1, which has inspired Ward to be open to new opportunities with coaching in the future.
Ward continued: “I love coaching. Being able to have an impact on some young people and their rugby careers and them as people as well and developing them.
“I love coaching and and I love teaching. I even home schooled my kids during lockdown. Personally, I saw that just as a challenge to help them with different subjects and sitting down with them.
“I’m a great fan of coaching in general. Whether that’s union or league, or sport in general, that’s my passion.
“Since I left Broncos, I’ve spent time with different rugby union clubs and just being in their environment and same with league. I’m always interested in what they do; everybody is different.
“I’m interested in how the coach’s get their messages across, different environments and cultures. It fascinates me.”
Ward leaves door open to rugby league return
When asked by Love Rugby League if the door has been open for a return to rugby league, Ward replied: “100%. I’ve never said it wouldn’t be.
“I’m not going to dive into something for the sake of it. There has been things since I left the Broncos, but it’s got to be right for me and my family first. We do live down south, so it would mean a big shift in that. And then it’s got to be right for me and something that excites me.
“I’ve been a part of the London project for probably 14 years since coming down as a player. That was something that excited me and I was passionate about the game down here and the potential of it and what we could do.
“So, it’s got to be something like that. You’ve got to be passionate about your work and love going to work and have goals and that’s got to match up with a club who you’re with and the people at the club.
“It’s all got to fall in line and be driven to the same outcomes, so it’s not just as simple as jumping back into any rugby job. It’s got to tick a lot of boxes in that sense.”
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