The Canberra Raiders will have a new face among their coaching staff with recently retired Chris Lewis joining for 2025.
Lewis, who most recently played for the Melbourne Storm, will take over as NSW Cup Coach and work alongside the NRL players in his role.
Lewis played 45 NRL games across five seasons for the Melbourne Storm and says the quick transition into coaching excites him.
“I only finished playing a couple of months ago, but I’m really enjoying the change into coaching,” Lewis said
“I feel like I have the ability to still understand what it’s like from a players perspective, and I can share some of my knowledge and help bring some young players along.
“I’ve spent time playing in both reserve grade and first grade so I’ve had a taste of it both ways and I can share that experience with the young players.”
Lewis has been lucky enough to play under Craig Bellamy and plenty of other coaches at the Storm and wants to utilise those experiences and his own methods in the new role.
“I know what works. I’ve been in a good system, I know what I wanted as a player and I know what I want from a Coach,” Lewis continued.
“I’ve played under some good coaches and some not so good coaches, and I think I can bring the good qualities to the way I approach things.”
Lewis also hopes that players can come to him to grow as people both on and off the field.
“I’m hoping the players see me as someone they can come and talk to who has been in their shoes and someone they can trust.
“I want to help improve them as footballers but also as people too.”