The Perth Bears have announced the first member of Mal Meninga's coaching staff, luring premiership-winning assistant Ben Gardiner from Penrith.
Samoa's head coach Gardiner has signed a five-year deal to join the expansion club that enters the NRL from 2027, positioning him to possibly succeed Meninga in the top job.
Gardiner won the 2023 and 2024 premierships as an assistant to Panthers boss Ivan Cleary and was also on staff at South Sydney for their drought-breaking 2014 grand final victory.
He began his career as a strength and conditioning coach at the Sydney Roosters and has also held posts with Cronulla, Wests Tigers, the City Origin team and New Zealand's international side.
Gardiner coached the Tigers for one game in 2022 as regular mentor Tim Sheens was unwell and led the North Sydney Bears between 2015 and 2017 when the club was Souths' NSW Cup affiliate.
"I can't wait to work closely with new people in Western Australia and build a hugely successful team over the next five years as we promote rugby league and grow the game," he said.
Gardiner's contract begins next year, allowing him to help Meninga with recruitment, and will not preclude him from coaching Samoa.
"I look forward to Ben helping us to build a club and culture which will set the Bears' future on the right path," Meninga said.
"He has worked with some great clubs and teams, at premiership and representative level, and he also has Bears DNA to add to his prolific experience," he said.
The announcement comes only one day after the second State of Origin match in Perth, where a crowd of 57,023 reiterated the sport's potential in the west.
