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With the Brisbane Broncos on the hunt for a new coach after Wayne Bennett's resignation, one man they won't be getting is Warriors Coach Ivan Cleary.
Cleary has reaffirmed his commitment to the New Zealand National Rugby League (NRL) club by extending his contract today, ensuring he will remain with the Warriors until at least the end of the 2010 season.
The 36-year-old is entering his third season as a first-grade coach and is coming off his most successful season with the Warriors, who finished fourth in the 2007 Premiership.
He had previously extended his original contract until the end of 2009 after just one year in the job.
Warriors executive director of football John Hart said the club had again signalled it saw Cleary as a long-term coach at the Vodafone Warriors.
"We've always had the view that Ivan is an outstanding coach and everything we've seen in his first two years in charge has reinforced that opinion," said Hart.
"After he had guided the club to the play-offs for the first time since 2003, Ivan and I met before Christmas last year to agree terms for another year (2010).
"We're delighted with Ivan's development. We have great confidence in him and see him as critical to our future."
If Cleary sees out his contract he is set to become the longest-serving coach in the club's history, topping Daniel Anderson's three-and-a-half season stint from 2001 to mid-2004.
"I'm extremely grateful for the way the club has supported me and I'm thrilled that I now have a contract through to 2010," said Cleary.
"It has been a very steep learning curve becoming a coach in this competition but it has also been hugely rewarding. As a team we've shown improvement in the last two years but there's more we want to achieve.
"I have great affection for the Warriors after playing for them and even more after being involved in the coaching role.
"The club has come a long way and has so much to look forward to. I want to be part of that."
Cleary added his young family was also well-settled in Auckland.
- NZ HERALD STAFF
