Ben Gardiner's Role in Shaping Samoa and the Perth Bears in 2025
Ben Gardiner, the dynamic coach from Yamba, is currently making waves in the rugby league world. With a proven track record as a part of the Penrith coaching team that led them to consecutive premierships, Gardiner is now at the helm of the Samoan national rugby league team. His immediate focus is guiding Samoa through their pivotal clash with Tonga at Suncorp Stadium, a match crucial for their hopes of advancing in the Pacific Cup. But this is only one part of Gardiner’s ambitious career path. In the near future, he’s set to join the Perth Bears, where he will serve as an assistant to the legendary Mal Meninga, before taking over as head coach in 2029.
Gardiner's coaching journey began in 2004, shortly after his playing career ended. He found himself alongside Ivan Cleary at the Roosters, where they helped guide the reserve grade team to victory. Since then, Gardiner has held various roles in coaching and strength and conditioning with teams like the Sharks, Rabbitohs, Tigers, and Panthers. Alongside this, he pursued academic qualifications, earning a degree in human movement, focusing on exercise science and physiology, all while juggling teaching roles. For Gardiner, coaching is all about teaching, whether it’s on the field or in a classroom. This blending of roles helped him shape his unique approach to the game, bringing a fresh perspective to rugby league.
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Gardiner’s current position with Samoa is especially meaningful. Working with players like Payne Haas, Jarome Luai, and Junior Paulo, he is leading a star-studded team aiming for success in the Pacific Championships. Reflecting on his journey, Gardiner acknowledges the incredible luck he has had, but also credits his hard work and dedication. He fondly remembers his sister, Sandra, who passed away from brain cancer in 2023, and continues to draw inspiration from her in his career. She would have been proud to see her brother coaching a Samoan team in a high-stakes match against Tonga in front of 50,000 fans.
Looking ahead, Gardiner is preparing for his role with the Perth Bears, a new NRL franchise set to make its debut in 2025. His experience with the North Sydney Bears, the foundation of the new team’s identity, has given him a unique perspective on how to build a club from the ground up. Perth presents an exciting opportunity to grow the game, especially in Western Australia, where rugby league has significant potential to expand. For Gardiner, it’s about improving the game as a whole, not just focusing on one team or region. He draws a parallel with his work with Samoa, saying that it’s not only about Samoa being great, but also about elevating the international rugby league scene.
Despite his immense success, Gardiner remains humble and grounded. Reflecting on his rise from a small-town boy in Yamba to the coach of the Samoan national team, he expresses disbelief at the journey he’s had. If he had been told at 15 that he would one day be sitting in the coach’s box at Suncorp Stadium, guiding a team of international superstars, he would have laughed it off. But here he is, ready to shape the future of both Samoa and the Perth Bears, with a vision to make a lasting impact on the sport.
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