Why Northern Pride handed Ty Williams a contract extension

Ty Williams became the first Northern Pride coach to reach 100 game for the club earlier this season. Now, he’s been locked in for another year. FIND OUT WHY >

A FIVE-year strategic plan to safeguard and supercharge the Northern Pride’s future on and off the field is behind the club’s decision to extend coach Ty Williams for one more year.

Already the most-capped coach in the Pride’s history, Williams is locked in to coach the Hostplus Cup club again in 2023.

First taking the reins in 2017, Williams surpassed the 100-game milestone earlier this year, and has the team in a strong position to finish in the top eight for just the second time under his guidance.

“I’m pretty excited, we’ve gone through a cultural shift for our club which started about six to eight weeks ago,” Williams said.

“I’m keen to continue what we’ve been doing, what we’re building.

Northern Pride coach Ty Williams. Picture: Brendan Radke

“About four months ago we put together a long term plan of where the club wants to go and develop in the age groups.

“It’s a four or five year plan that we’ve created. There’s a fair bit to it, but we want to make sure we’re on the right track.

“I’m appreciative to the board for their decision to take the option.”

Williams has taken the Pride to the finals just once, in 2018 when he was named Hostplus Cup coach of the Year.

His team narrowly missed the top eight last season due to another club’s result on the final day of the season, but they are in a strong position to play finals footy.

He has stuck solid with a group of talented footballers, many of whom were in the squad last year, while turning to local stars who have proved they are up to standard.

But it’s far beyond just on-field matters which led to the Pride board backing Williams for another season.

Northern Pride have locked in Ty Williams to coach in 2023. Picture: Brendan Radke

The club has undergone a cultural shift since Garreth Smith became CEO at the start of the year, and Williams has played a key role in helping to drive that change.

“He has put together a plan of where we want to go,” Smith said.

“I don’t want to talk about what happened in the past but you’ve seen the cultural shift in terms of who and what we are.

“Certainly on the field, we want to be in the top eight, top six.

“He knows there’s a lot of work to do there, especially with our younger teams. He led a review of the club.

“We’ve certainly got a lot to do with the academy and the talent we have.

“We know it’s there. If not through the win-loss record, it’s also what’s been able to encourage through the players.”

The Pride return to Barlow Park for the first time in a month this Saturday when they host Tweed Seagulls.

Northern Pride (8th), Tweed (7th) and Brisbane Tigers (9th) are in a three-way tie on 17 points, and all three have everything to play for in the final three weeks of the season.

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Originally published as Why Northern Pride handed Ty Williams a contract extension