Ken Gentle Explained

Ken Gentle
Coachyear1start:1984
Coachyear1end:85
Coachteam1:Western Suburbs
Coachgames1:48
Coachwins1:6
Coachdraws1:2
Coachlosses1:40

Ken Gentle is an Australian former rugby league coach for the Western Suburbs Magpies.[1]

Gentle served his coaching apprenticeship with Kiama, which he guided to a premiership in 1969.[2] He had charge of Canterbury-Bankstown junior sides during the 1970s, culminating in SG Ball and Jersey Flegg premierships in 1978 and 1979 respectively. Following a stint with the Western Suburbs under-23s and reserves, Gentle returned to Canterbury in 1983, to coach their reserves team.[3]

At the end of the 1983 season, Gentle took over from Len Stacker as first-grade coach of Western Suburbs. He was appointed during a tumultuous pre-season, losing several of his players to rival clubs as the result of a decision by the NSWRL, later reversed, to omit them from the competition. Before they were re-admitted, Gentle had been set to return to Canterbury's reserves. He led the Magpies for two seasons, then in 1986 was replaced by Steve Ghosn.[3]

Gentle's son Peter Gentle played for St. George and was an acting head coach of the Brisbane Broncos.[4]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Magpies say coach has club's full support . . 16 April 1985 . 22 . National Library of Australia.
  2. News: Chronic optimist leads recovery . . 22 May 1985.
  3. News: Clarkson . Alan . The Gentle Life . . 22 January 1984.
  4. News: Aussie Footballers Find Paradise . . 15 November 1986.