In a heartfelt and emotional revelation, Jamie Soward, former St George Illawarra Dragons NRLW coach and club legend, has opened up about the personal and professional struggles he’s faced since learning that his time with the club would come to an abrupt end. The 39-year-old, who was instrumental in the Dragons’ historic 2010 NRL premiership and led the women’s side to the 2022 grand final, expressed deep disappointment and frustration at the club’s decision not to renew his contract.
Soward, who has been the head coach of the Dragons’ women’s team since 2021, was informed earlier this month that he would not be retained for the next season. The timing of the announcement came as a shock, as the team was still fighting for a spot in the NRLW finals. This blow, combined with the team’s recent struggles on the field, has made for an incredibly difficult two weeks for the coach.
Following the Dragons’ narrow 16-14 loss to the Wests Tigers on Thursday night, Soward addressed the media, not holding back his frustration over how the situation was handled by the club. “It’s been a long year, it’s been a rough two weeks emotionally,” Soward said. “I’ve had a good association with the club, winning a premiership here, being able to coach the NRLW team to a grand final. I’ll be enjoying my last week with my friends in the group and the staff.”
Soward expressed his belief that the decision could have been handled more delicately, particularly with the team still in contention for the finals when the news was broken to him and the players. “I can’t imagine that the coach being told he’s not going to be renewed is a morale booster,” he added. “I think that could have been handled differently.”
The timing of the announcement, just before the crucial final weeks of the NRLW season, seemed to have a negative impact on the team’s morale and performance. St George Illawarra have yet to win a game since the announcement, and Soward believes the uncertainty surrounding his future played a part in their recent form slump. “Coach out the season, end of the year sit down… we got told when we were still in the finals hunt,” Soward said, reflecting on how he would have preferred the situation to be managed.
The decision not only affected Soward but also had repercussions for the players. Many of them were recruited with the promise of a long-term vision under his leadership, and the abrupt change left the playing group in a state of shock. “I think it’s a little bit different in the women’s space. A lot of those players have detached and moved their lives off the basis we were recruiting them with a plan,” Soward said. “So, they probably were a little bit shocked by it too.”
Amid the professional turmoil, Soward shared how his family has been his emotional anchor during these difficult times. “I’ve lost my job, but I’m healthy, I’ll be OK,” he said. “I’ve got a wife and two very strong girls at home that have been my rocks, and the players within the group, pretty much everyone reached out. The girls who are a bit older reached out and made sure I’m OK, which has been good.”
Despite the personal disappointment, Soward has tried to keep things in perspective. “I’m not the first coach to not coach again… was the timing great? No. Was it done the right way? I disagree with how it was done,” he admitted, candidly. “But the club’s made a decision, I’ve moved on, the sun will come up tomorrow. It hurts, but I will be OK.”
Jamie Soward’s impact on the Dragons is undeniable. As a player, he helped guide the club to a premiership in 2010, and as a coach, he took the Dragons’ NRLW team to a grand final in 2022. His contribution to the club and the women’s game has been significant, and while his time as head coach may be ending, his legacy remains.
For Soward, the final weeks of his tenure at St George Illawarra will be bittersweet. As he prepares for his last match in charge, he remains grateful for the relationships he’s built and the support he’s received, both from the players and his family.
Though his chapter with the Dragons may be closing, Soward’s resilience and passion for the game ensure that this is far from the end of his coaching journey.
