Penrith has extended the contract of coach Ivan Cleary as the club’s strategy to build success in the coming seasons continues to come together.
Cleary’s contract was up at the end of next year but the club confirmed tonight that he had been re-signed for the 2015 and 2016 seasons.
Executive General Manager Phil Gould lured Cleary to Penrith from the Warriors to develop the junior ranks at the foot of the mountains.
“Ivan has been an integral part of Penrith’s rebuilding process,” Mr Gould said.
“He has done an outstanding job with our NRL team and with establishing a new level of professionalism in our club. Ivan has also played a vital role in setting up our development programs all the way back to junior league football, which I know will produce a steady stream of NRL quality players for many years to come.
“Under Ivan’s guidance, we are on our way to making the Panthers a major player in the NRL competition”.
Cleary, who was approached about the contract extension a few weeks ago, says it’s a privilege to be working at a club with such a bold vision for the future.
“When I first arrived at Penrith I saw huge potential coming through in the junior ranks and some great talent already cemented in the NRL squad,” he said.
“I’m very positive about the future of the Panthers, and I’m excited to be staying on until 2016. We have some experienced players joining the NRL squad next year, along with a handful of juniors, and I think this mix will see us continue to improve”.
General Manager Football, Phil Moss says the club couldn’t ask for more in a head coach.
“Ivan has been a tremendous asset to the Panthers,” he said.
“His involvement with the club at all levels can be measured by the high morale and improved performance of our team on and off the field this year. He is well respected by the players and staff, and we are all very excited about his vision for the club’s future.
“We have a lot of fresh, young talent joining us from next year and I look forward to working with Ivan to develop those players to their full potential”.
