The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have made a major move to strengthen all areas beneath NRL level, with the appointment of former player Barry Ward as the new General Manager of Pathways and Junior League.
The new role, which will complement the current coaching structure, will be responsible for the organisation, planning and delivery of the elite football programs and development practices within local junior clubs and regions, including operational, welfare, coaching, educational, administrative and logistical support within the Pathways and Junior League programs.
It will also encompass funding and grant proposals that support the Bulldogs’ NRL, Pathways and Junior League initiatives.
Ward, has an enormous connection to the Bulldogs, having represented the club in 91 NRL games between 1990 and 2001, in addition to being a former NSW Cup coach.
He has also continued to be heavily involved with the local Junior league as an administrator with the Milperra Colts Club.
Ward, is a current Life Member of the Bulldogs and has previously sat on both the Football and League Club Boards, in addition to having most recently been employed in the club’s Commercial Dept.
Ward was excited about the challenges that lie ahead :
“Pathways and Junior League are crucial parts of a club’s development and I believe that creating the right structures will allow us to unearth and develop the talent that we have in our system.
I have been lucky enough to have been around this club for a long time, both as a player and administrator, and I have enormous passion for everything that goes on at Belmore.
Having been here through some of the great years, I know that we can turn things around and I look forward to being able to put something back into a club that has been a major part of my life.”
