Ricky Stuart, the long-serving head coach of the Canberra Raiders, has penned a four-year contract extension, securing his role through the end of 2029. The announcement came shortly after Stuart eclipsed 500 first-grade coaching games—a testament to his enduring presence and impact in the NRL ([raiders.com.au][1]).
Stuart, affectionately known as “Sticky,” originally took the reins in 2014 and has since become the Raiders’ longest-serving coach. With this new deal, he’s set to guide the club for an astounding 16th straight year ([reddit.com][2]).
Behind the re-signing lies a strategic vision: to shepherd Canberra’s rising generation toward premiership contention. Since his arrival, Stuart has overseen a cultural transformation, integrating youngsters like Ethan Strange, Matt Timoko, and Chevy Stewart into the senior ranks. Club chairman Dennis Richardson praised Stuart’s steady influence during this transitional phase, observing that his values have been pivotal in attracting and developing emerging talent ([raiders.com.au][1]).
Stuart himself voiced a singular ambition: to deliver Canberra their first premiership since 1994 and, in doing so, “change every one of my players’ lives” ([nrl.com][3]). With finals appearances in four of the past five seasons—including a Grand Final berth in 2019—this extension cements Canberra’s commitment to continuity, youth development, and premiership pursuit under one of its most iconic figures.
