Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart’s toughest day of his life, daughter Emma, NRL future

Ricky Stuart isn’t one to hide his emotions. In his most revealing interview, the Raiders coach is brutally honest about one of most challenging days of his life, and the inspiration behind his foundation that’s changing lives.

Ricky Stuart shoots from the hip.

We’ve seen his honesty in post-match press conferences throughout his past two decades as a coach in the NRL pressure cooker.

He’s also not one to hide his emotions. It’s not in his DNA. You can see that with his reactions on the sideline at Canberra games.

That’s why the Raiders legend can’t help but tell the truth when you ask him about one of the toughest days of his life.

The day he and wife Kaylie’s disabled daughter Emma moved out of the Stuart family home.

“It was hard when she left,” Stuart says as we sit in Canberra’s hotel team room in Las Vegas.

“Kaylie will kill me for saying this but I knew it was getting so hard for her at home, and she is tough.

Ricky Stuart and his daughter, Emma.

“It’s the best for Emma because she’s got some independency now and does stuff we weren’t able to do with her.

“She gets an outing every day and has different people around her. They get other specialists in to help out.

“I think it was harder for us when she moved out than it was for her. She comes home but is always happy to go back.

“I keep telling the boys they are never moving out.”

Emma is the inspiration behind the Ricky Stuart Foundation.

Now in its 14th year, Stuart launched the foundation to help families dealing with autism.

Emma, 27, is non-verbal and was diagnosed with autism at age 12.

She requires around-the-clock care, something the Stuart family, including boys Jed and Jack, did for many years.

That’s why Ricky was determined to make a difference and the foundation has since built two respite homes in Canberra, with another in the works

“We’ve followed the journey of our daughter,” Stuart said.

“Respite was difficult with Emma. Firstly, her liking it, and also the environment.

“I thought there wasn’t enough respite establishments around that gave parents comfort in leaving their child there.

“In that process we built two in Canberra and I know they’ve helped many families. I’ve heard great feedback from families that have stayed there.”

Ricky and Kaylie thought they would be Emma’s full-time carers forever.

That was until they started to see the opportunities the foundation was creating for families.

“We never knew anything about independent living,” Stuart said.

“Our whole journey was learning and brand new for us. That’s why we’re trying to create awareness for people out there who are living in these situations.

Ricky Stuart prepares the Raiders for their Las Vegas season opener. Picture: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

“About five years ago Emma went into independent living and we didn’t think it would ever work.

“We see her every week and Kaylie is always there. Her brothers and their girlfriends go and see her, she loves them.

“It’s made by two boys better blokes. They have the ability to care because of what they’ve done for their sister.

“We bought her an assistance dog from Smart Pups. You’re not meant to spoil them too much but that got thrown out the window on the first day.

“There’s so many things they can do and Emma needs that companion and the routine of knowing her dog is there.

“The carers Emma has are the nicest caring people in the world. They don’t get recognised anywhere near enough.

“That’s what we are trying to replicate with this next facility.”

The Stuarts in 2002. Kaylie and Ricky with their kids, Jed, one, Jack, three, and Emma, five. Picture: Kristi Miller

Ricky Stuart with Emma and her companion dog, Cosmo. Picture: AAPImage/Tracey Nearmy

Kaylie, Jack and Jed, who is part of Canberra’s playing squad, have spent the week in Vegas as the Raiders prepare for Sunday’s NRL season-opener against the Warriors.

It has been a high-octane week in Sin City but Stuart hasn’t shied away from the multitude of media requests and promotional events despite two competition points being up for grabs.

“Yesterday I reckon I had nine different interviews or speaking engagements with journalists, papers and TV,” Stuart said.

“I do that because it’s a different week and I want to promote rugby league. I want to promote the Canberra Raiders and my players.

“They mean everything to me and so does rugby league.”

At 58, Stuart has been around long enough to know there are few guarantees in rugby league.

He has no plans to give up coaching but understands it may be taken out of his hands if the Raiders don’t achieve the success they’re chasing.

“The youth really energises you,” he said.

“It keeps me full of energy. I’m coaching kids from 18 to beyond 30.

“I’ll keep doing it for as long I’m enjoying it and have a passion for the club and to win.

“You also need a job – sometimes you don’t get a choice.

“I haven’t got any real plans about what my future holds and it doesn’t really ever worry me because I’m always engulfed in other people’s developments and careers.

“That is a big part of my role, to keep making this club competitive. That’s all I’ve ever wanted to do.”

Back home in Canberra following coaching stints with the Roosters, Sharks and Eels from 2002-13, Stuart has found his happy balance.

His family and foundation give him a purpose outside of football, but there is one thing that drives him every day

“I still enjoy winning.”