Burt to Coach Bears in 2023

The UAA Burleigh Bears are pleased to announce that Luke Burt has been appointed as the Host Plus Cup coach for the next two seasons. Burt will replace Rick Stone who is heading back to Newcastle after 3 years with the Bears.

Burt is a former Parramatta Eels player, who made 264 NRL appearances for the Club between 1999 and 2012, before moving into a coaching role at the Eels. After 4 years of coaching (NYC and transition Coach) at the Eels, Burt moved into an assistant coaching role with the Gold Coast Titans.

The 41-year-old has been the assistant coach for the Burleigh Bears Host Plus Cup team for the past 2 seasons helping guide the team into the 2021 and 2022 preliminary finals.

“I’m excited to be handed the position of head coach at such a prestigious club as the Bears. Having been an assistant coach here for the last 2 years I can see why the Club has been so successful over a long period of time and look forward to being a part of future success .” Burt said

“Luke has a great understanding of the Club, he understands our values and where we want to take the Club. He was a big part of the clubs success this year and we look forward to him building on this with the great crop of players coming through in 2023.” Bears CEO Damian Driscoll said.

Rick Stone, who holds the record for most games coached in the QLD Cup (253) will head back to Newcastle for family reasons. Stone took the Bears to their first Minor Premiership in 20 years but unfortunately the team fell short bowing out in the preliminary final.

“Rick will be missed. He has been an integral part of the Burleigh Bears for over two decades. He leaves the Bears in a terrific position, not just in regards to our success on the field, but the legacy he leaves behind around the Club’s culture and values that are at the heart of everything that we do at Burleigh.” Driscoll said.