Hull KR assistant Danny Ward has expressed his desire to return to a head coaching role in the future, but says he is currently “loving” working alongside Willie Peters at Sewell Group Craven Park.
Ward, 45, joined the Robins’ coaching staff ahead of the 2024 Super League season, having represented the club in 2007 as a player.
The one-time Great Britain international spent three-and-a-half seasons at the helm at London Broncos, winning promotion to the top flight, before making a brief switch to rugby union in 2022.
He returned to rugby league with Castleford Tigers on a short-term deal in August 2023, helping the club retain their Super League status. However, he declined the opportunity to remain at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle.
Later that year, Ward joined Hull KR ’s backroom staff under Peters as defence coach.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ The Bench podcast, the 2004 Grand Final winner revealed he hopes to return to a head coaching role in the future – but is enjoying life in East Hull, especially after helping the Robins lift silverware at Wembley.
He said: “I’d like to be head coach, there’s no secret in that and I do miss it at times.
“But I enjoy being an assistant as well, and that was one of the first conversations I had with Willie when we talked about coming here. I got offered the head coach at Castleford, but I’m no problem being an assistant if it’s a club that’s going in the right direction, and it’s got good people to work with and to learn from.
“I’m a young coach, and I saw the quality of the people, playing staff and coaching staff that are here that I can learn from. It’s totally different to being a head coach. You don’t have that kind of stress, you’re not dealing with other things away from coaching.
“Obviously I’d love to be a head coach one day, but at the moment, I’m loving being an assistant to Willie.”
Ward says he has relished learning under Rovers boss Peters, who he praises for his attention to detail and dedication – even if it means receiving voice notes late into the night.
Peters has had a transformative impact at Hull KR, guiding the club to three major finals and, earlier this month, helping end their 40-year wait for a trophy with Challenge Cup success.
“I think just the relationships he has with all the players, and how much he cares on a daily basis,” said Ward.
“He’s constantly checking in with people, and the relationships he’s building makes the players play for him. All the detail he goes into, and leaving no stone unturned, whether that’s game planning or a late-night voice note at 10 o’clock at night.
“He loves a voice note, but that’s the constant detail that we’re leaving no stone unturned. I think that detail and relationships to build is something I’ve taken from Willie.”