The Warriors have secured the services of two-time premiership-winning coach Ronald Griffiths ahead of their return to the NRL Telstra Women's Premiership in 2025.
Griffiths joins the club on a three-year deal after leading the Knights to back-to-back NRLW titles in 2022 and 2023, along with coaching the Indigenous All Stars to a pair of victories over the Māori All Stars through the same period.
Warriors CEO Cameron George said the club was delighted to announce a coach with a proven track record of success, as they return to the competition for the first time since 2020.
“It was critical to appoint the best possible coach for this role and we’ve been able to do that," George said.
Ron has terrific coaching pedigree and will add tremendous value to our club as we make our way back in the NRLW
Cameron George
After Newcastle finished bottom of the ladder in 2021, Griffiths made an immediate impact as head coach in 2022 – dropping just one game as the side clinched its maiden premiership with a win over the Eels.
In an expanded 2023 competition the following year, Newcastle again finished top of the table and went on to repeat as back-to-back premiers, with Griffiths moving on at season's end to take up a role with the Knights' men's reserve grade side.
Griffiths said he was excited about creating a foundation for the future of the women’s game in New Zealand.
“As a family we’re so grateful to be coming over to be involved with a club that has such a proud history,” Griffiths said.
“It’s exciting to start with a blank canvas, having the opportunity to build a women’s programme from the ground up.
“I’ll be working closely with the people in pathways to set up a structure that delivers sustainable success for the club and develops players and staff from within for the future.”
The appointment comes just over a year on from the Warriors appointing long-time New Zealand Kiwis team manager Nadene Conlon to head up their NRLW pathways and development.
