Hull KR captain Shaun Kenny-Dowall aims to sign off with silverware after confirming he will retire at the end of the season and take up a new role on the Super League club’s coaching staff.
With his no-nonsense style and strong running, the brilliant centre has become a big fans favourite in his four years at the Robins. But Kenny-Dowall, 35, obviously made his name in the NRL where he won the 2013 Grand Final with Sydney Roosters. In almost 300 appearances Down Under, he also starred with Newcastle Knights and, of course, was a proud New Zealand international.
Kenny-Dowall - who will become KR’s development coach for 2024 mentoring the club’s talent throughout the grades - helped the Kiwis win the 2010 and 2014 Four Nations. He is currently leading the side in an impressive campaign where they are up to third in Super League and into the Challenge Cup quarter-finals. Kenny-Dowall said: “I’ve made the decision to retire at the end of the 2023 season and call time on my 17-year career as a professional rugby player. This sport has given me everything and I want to say thank you to everyone who has helped me on this journey. I’ll reflect on it all at the end of the season.
“Until then though, it’s all to play for. I’ll continue to love every moment I have left on the field as a Robin. For 2024, I’m honoured to be taking on a new exciting challenge here at Hull KR, mentoring the club’s future stars from the Academy up to the First Team.
“I’m incredibly grateful to be staying with this great club for 2024. I’d like to say a special thank you to the club’s board and Willie Peters for the opportunity and the faith they’ve shown in me for my new exciting role. But for now, I want to finish my final season on a high and win silverware with this great club. Keep your amazing support coming, Red Army. See you on the other side.”
Peters said: “Shaun is a leader of men. He leads through his actions every day at training and every time he takes the field. I value my relationship with Shaun greatly and he’s been a great help since I joined the club last year. I’m excited to work side by side with Shaun as part of the club’s coaching team next season.
“We are delighted Shaun has accepted a very important position as Development Coach at Hull KR next season. Shaun will play an integral part in our vertical alignment throughout the whole club. Shaun will help the club to develop quality, homegrown juniors ready for Super League alongside our Academy staff. Special thank you to our Board for approving this important role within the club. Before he starts, Shaun has a lot more to achieve on the field as he’s motivated to end his outstanding playing career on a high.”
