The coaching panel that assists Melbourne Storm head coach Craig Bellamy and has guided the club to a seventh consecutive NRL preliminary final has been locked in for at least the next two seasons.
The four coaches – Marc Brentnall, Stephen Kearney, Aaron Bellamy and Ryan Hinchcliffe – have long-term links with Storm that pre-date their coaching involvement, including Kearney and Hinchcliffe being life members and premiership winners with the club.
Their contract extensions follow on from Bellamy’s decision last month to commit to Storm for a further five seasons, including as head coach again in 2022.
Marc Brentnall is in his sixth season on the Storm’s NRL coaching team after serving three seasons as development coach from 2016-2018 and the last three as assistant coach.
He also served as NYC coach in 2015 and assistant coach for the under-20s in 2013-14. Brentnall’s long association with Storm began when he was the club’s first ball boy in the inaugural 1998 season.
Stephen Kearney returned to Storm this season as assistant coach after performing the same role with the club from 2006 to 2010.
He also had a decorated playing career at Storm including 139 games, being club captain and a premiership player in 1999. He is also a life member of the club, as well as having head coach experience with Parramatta and the NZ Warriors.
Aaron Bellamy is in his sixth season as development coach after previously assisting with the football department’s video analysis.
As well as working very closely with Marc Brentnall on Storm’s attacking structures, he works with Ryan Hinchcliffe in the key development coaching of the club’s young and fringe players.
Ryan Hinchcliffe is in his third season as a development coach after a successful playing career at the club which included 175 games, two Premierships, a Player of the Year award in 2010 and life membership.
Hinchcliffe works closely with Kearney with our ruck forwards and alongside Craig Bellamy on the defensive side of the game.
Storm General Manager – Football Frank Ponissi said all four assistants were exceptionally dedicated and committed coaches with an extremely high work ethic.
“They are all passionate about the club and have a genuine care for the people in the club, especially the players.
As well as all being talented coaches, more importantly, they are outstanding people.
Frank Ponissi
“I know our playing group hold our coaches in high esteem and will benefit from continuing to their develop their games with them.
“We are excited that each of them will continue on at the club for the next two years and we look forward to having them here along with their wonderful families who are very much part of Storm.”
