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Gardiner to remain as Samoa coach after taking Perth role
Toa Samoa coach Ben Gardiner has joined the Perth Bears to be the assistant coach alongside Immortal and legendary former Kangaroos mentor Mal Meninga.
Gardiner is an assistant coach at the Penrith Panthers and was part of the team that won the 2023 and 2024 premierships.
He is also the current Samoa international head coach and will retain the role for the end of season Pacific Championships against Tonga and New Zealand, and next year's World Cup in Australia and Papua New Guinea.
Gardiner, who has signed a five-year contract with the Perth Bears, has one of the most extensive and impressive coaching resumes in the game.
For more than two decades he has held coaching roles at clubs including the Sydney Roosters, the Cronulla Sharks, the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Wests Tigers before the Penrith Panthers.
He also has a deep connection with the North Sydney Bears, having previously coached the club's NSW Cup team.
Gardiner said he was excited and humbled to have such a significant role in the birth of the Perth Bears.
“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.
“I have had a close relationship with the North Sydney Bears for a number of years where I was able to coach the NSW Cup team and work in coaching and recruitment, as well as with the women’s team.
“These experiences allowed me to understand what makes that great club tick.
“These foundations need to be synergised into the Perth Bears to grow a collaboration of new and old.”
Gardiner said he was looking forward to working alongside Meninga to define the culture of the Perth Bears to ensure sustained success.
Samoa coach Ben Gardiner will work with Mal Meninga at Perth Bears. Meninga, who recently stood down from the Australian coaching job after nine seasons to take charge of the NRL's 18th team, said Gardiner was one of the best and brightest young coaches in the game.
“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,” Meninga said.
“I look forward to Ben helping us to build a club and culture which will set the Bears’ future on the right path.”
Perth Bears CEO Anthony De Ceglie said Gardiner would bring extensive experience and understanding of successful premiership winning systems.
“We’re extremely excited to have Ben join the team,” De Ceglie said.
“He’s a winner who’s renowned for his football knowledge and hard work ethic.
“This is another important milestone as we ensure the Perth Bears lay the right foundations for future success.”
Gardiner will start his job with the Perth Bears following the conclusion of the 2025 NRL premiership season.