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A Warrington Wolves coach has been confirmed as the head coach of Wales Rugby League with World Cup 2030 in the nation\u2019s long-term plans.<\/strong><\/p>\n Wales will not be at the 2026 Rugby League World Cup having lost to France in the European qualifying<\/a> with Les Bleus set to play Jamaica in a bid to secure their place at next year\u2019s competition, set to be held in Australia and Papua New Guinea.<\/p>\n Long-serving head coach John Kear stepped down in July having led the nation since 2014 and it\u2019s now been confirmed that Warrington Wolves\u2019 coach Paul Berry will coach the nation going forward.<\/p>\n Berry, 41, has been involved in the Welsh set-up for some time but he\u2019s been involved with Wire for even longer, working for over a decade in the club\u2019s junior development and scholarship systems.<\/p>\n It\u2019s been confirmed that he will resume those roles at the same time as coaching the Welsh national team, for whom he has previously led at Under 17 and Under 16 age groups.<\/p>\n Wales Rugby League confirm new head coach Paul Berry<\/p>\n News of Berry\u2019s appointment was confirmed by Wales Rugby League with Berry\u2019s impressive wins as head coach of the Under 16\u2019s, notably against England both home and away, one of the ticks on his resume.<\/p>\n He is the most successful youth coach in the nation\u2019s history and those at the top of the national team set-up feel he can translate that to the senior game with qualification for the 2030 Rugby League World Cup being the long-term goal.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m excited for the challenge,\u201d said Berry. \u201cI\u2019m also really grateful for Chairman James Davies, CEO Richard Hibbard, and the board for showing trust in me to lead the team moving forward.<\/p>\n \u201cBeing involved over the last six years, I\u2019ve seen first-hand the talent already within the pathway and I\u2019m hoping these young players will come through over the next few years to add to the experienced group that we already have. That will provide a really balanced squad as we move forward to being World Cup-ready by 2030.<\/p>\n \u201cThe long-term goal is obviously to qualify for the 2030 World Cup, but shorter term I\u2019m looking forward to seeing the team playing regular fixtures and giving some of the younger players an opportunity to pull on our famous red jersey.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s plenty of progress happening on and off the field at the moment, and I think we\u2019re entering a really exciting period for rugby league in Wales. I\u2019m really pleased to be able to continue to play a part of it moving forward.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s also been confirmed that Damian Gibson and Liam Bostock will serve as assistants and they will be in place for autumn fixtures, which are set to be announced soon.<\/p>\n Wales RL CEO backs Berry<\/p>\n Wales Rugby League Chief Executive, Richard Hibbard, said: \u201cWe\u2019re delighted that Paul will be the coach to lead our Men\u2019s team.<\/p>\n \u201cIn his role as Wales U16s Head Coach and more recently, Head of Youth, he has been instrumental in creating the environment that allows the talent in our junior community game to shine. To have more than 40 players in Super League Scholarship and Academy setups is remarkable from where we were just a few years ago, and he has been central to that.<\/p>\n \u201cAs we look to put ourselves in the strongest possible position to qualify for the 2030 World Cup, we will no doubt see a changing of the guard within our senior squad. Paul inherits a really strong culture from John Kear, and we know he will add his own stamp to that alongside Liam and Damian.<\/p>\n \u201cHe has demonstrated excellence throughout his time involved with Wales Rugby League and set high standards of himself, the staff who work alongside him, and the players. Those are the foundations that will give us the best opportunity to be World Cup ready for 2030.\u201d<\/p>\n New head coach | Prif hyfforddwr newydd\ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc77\udb40\udc6c\udb40\udc73\udb40\udc7f<\/p>\n We are delighted to announce that our most successful youth coach of all time, Paul Berry, has been appointed as the new Head Coach of the Senior Men\u2019s team.<\/p>\n Damian Gibson and Liam Bostock will assist.<\/p>\n More\/Mwy: https:\/\/t.co\/ok7dqawCdE<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/DvDPPHotHx<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Wales Rugby League (@WalesRugbyL) July 25, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n
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