Wayne Bennett
Wayne Bennett AM is an esteemed figure in the world of rugby league, widely recognised as one of the most successful coaches in the history of the sport. As of 2023, he holds the position of head coach for the Dolphins, a professional rugby league football team competing in the Australian National Rugby League (NRL).
Born in Allora, Queensland, Australia, on January 1, 1950, Bennett's extensive career in rugby league has spanned over four decades, throughout which he has demonstrated a profound understanding of the sport and an uncanny knack for strategic planning and player development.
He has coached numerous teams in the NRL, making substantial contributions to the sport both on and off the field.
Bennett began his coaching career with Souths in the Brisbane Rugby League in the late 1970s. His journey into the NRL started in 1987 when he took over as coach of the Canberra Raiders. However, it was during his time as the head coach of the Brisbane Broncos from 1988 to 2008, and later from 2015 to 2018, that Bennett etched his name into the annals of rugby league history. Under his guidance, the Broncos secured six premiership titles, firmly establishing their dominance in the sport.
Bennett has also held coaching positions with St. George Illawarra Dragons, where he led the team to a premiership win in 2010, and the Newcastle Knights. In addition, he has served as a coach on the international stage, leading the Australian national team, the Kangaroos, and the England team to notable victories.
In 2023, Bennett accepted the head coach role at the Dolphins, a team based in the Redcliffe Peninsula area of the Moreton Bay Region, which is part of the greater Brisbane area of South East Queensland. Known for his ability to build formidable teams, he has taken on the challenge to lead and develop the Dolphins in the intensely competitive environment of the NRL.
Off the field, Bennett is equally respected. He was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2013 for his significant service to rugby league as a coach, and for his work with the community. He has shown unwavering commitment to numerous charitable causes, using his standing in the sport to make a difference in people's lives.
Bennett's knowledge, experience, and leadership abilities are legendary in rugby league, and his recent appointment with the Dolphins will only serve to enhance his enduring legacy in the sport. He has been a source of inspiration and mentorship for countless players and continues to uphold the values of integrity, teamwork, and sportsmanship that define the sport of rugby league.
