Craig Bellamy is one of the most successful and respected coaches in the NRL. He has led the Melbourne Storm to four premierships, two minor premierships, and six grand finals since taking over in 2003. He is also the longest-serving coach in the NRL, with 22 seasons under his belt. But how much does he earn and what is his net worth? In this article, we will explore Craig Bellamy’s salary, net worth, contract, earning career, personal life, and more.
Salary
While the salaries of NRL coaches are rarely made official public knowledge, reports from The Australian estimate that Craig Bellamy’s current deal with Melbourne is worth up to $1.7 million per year. This makes him one of the highest-paid coaches in the NRL, along with Trent Robinson of the Sydney Roosters and Wayne Bennett of the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Bellamy’s salary reflects his achievements and reputation as one of the best coaches in the game.
Net Worth
Craig Bellamy has a net worth of $25 million. This is based on his earnings from his coaching career, as well as his investments and endorsements. Bellamy has been involved in several businesses, such as a car dealership and a pub. He also has a sponsorship deal with Nike. Bellamy is known for his generosity and philanthropy, as he has funded the Craig Bellamy Foundation for disadvantaged children in Sierra Leone and donated to various charities.
Contract
Craig Bellamy signed a new contract with the Melbourne Storm in 2021, which will keep him at the club until 2027. However, the contract has a unique clause that allows Bellamy to decide whether he wants to continue coaching or move into another role within the club each year. This gives him the flexibility and security to choose his own future. Bellamy has confirmed that he will coach the Storm for another season in 2024, after initially considering retirement.
Earning Career
Craig Bellamy started his coaching career as an assistant coach at the Canberra Raiders in 1998. He then moved to the Brisbane Broncos as an assistant coach under Wayne Bennett from 1999 to 2002. He was appointed as the head coach of the Melbourne Storm in 2003, and has been there ever since. Bellamy has won four NRL premierships with the Storm (2007, 2009, 2012, and 2020), although the first two were stripped due to salary cap breaches. He has also won two World Club Challenges (2010 and 2013) and two Dally M Coach of the Year awards (2006 and 2011). Bellamy has coached over 500 NRL games, with a winning percentage of over 67%.
Personal Life
Craig Bellamy was born in Cardiff, Wales in 1979. He moved to Australia when he was six years old and grew up in Port Macquarie, New South Wales. He played rugby league as a winger for several clubs, including Canberra Raiders and North Sydney Bears. He retired from playing in 1992 due to injuries. He is married to Claire, his high school sweetheart since 2006. They have three children: sons Ellis and Cameron, and daughter Lexie.
Conclusion
Craig Bellamy is a legend of rugby league coaching. He has achieved remarkable success with the Melbourne Storm and earned a fortune along the way. He is also a generous and humble person who cares about his family and community. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches of all time.
Most Asked Questions and Answers
Q: How old is Craig Bellamy?
A: Craig Bellamy is 44 years old as of 2023.
Q: How long has Craig Bellamy been coaching Melbourne Storm?
A: Craig Bellamy has been coaching Melbourne Storm since 2003.
Q: How many premierships has Craig Bellamy won with Melbourne Storm?
A: Craig Bellamy has won four premierships with Melbourne Storm (2007, 2009, 2012, and 2020), although the first two were stripped due to salary cap breaches.
Q: Who are Craig Bellamy’s assistant coaches?
A: Craig Bellamy’s assistant coaches are Ryan Hoffman (forwards), Marc Brentnall (backs), Aaron Bellamy (defence), Stephen Kearney (football operations), Frank Ponissi (general manager of football), and Matt Barradeen (performance analyst).
Q: What is Craig Bellamy’s coaching style?
A: Craig Bellamy’s coaching style is based on discipline, hard work, and innovation. He is known for his meticulous preparation, high standards, and adaptability. He also fosters a strong culture of loyalty, respect, and teamwork among his players and staff.
Q: Who are some of the players that Craig Bellamy has coached?
A: Craig Bellamy has coached some of the best players in rugby league history, such as Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk, Greg Inglis, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Harry Grant, and many more.
Q: What are some of the controversies that Craig Bellamy has been involved in?
A: Craig Bellamy has been involved in some controversies during his coaching career, such as the salary cap scandal that resulted in the Storm being stripped of two premierships and fined $1.6 million in 2010, the infamous brawl with Manly Sea Eagles in 2011 that saw four players sent off and 10 players sin-binned, and the ongoing feud with his former mentor Wayne Bennett.
Q: What are some of the achievements that Craig Bellamy has received?
A: Craig Bellamy has received many achievements for his coaching career, such as being named as one of the NRL’s 100 Greatest Players in 2008, being inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame in 2019, and being awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 2020 for his service to rugby league.
Q: What are some of the hobbies and interests that Craig Bellamy has?
A: Craig Bellamy has some hobbies and interests outside of rugby league, such as golf, fishing, surfing, reading, and watching movies. He is also a fan of Manchester United and Wales national soccer teams.
Q: What are some of the charities and causes that Craig Bellamy supports?
A: Craig Bellamy supports several charities and causes, such as the Craig Bellamy Foundation for disadvantaged children in Sierra Leone3, the Starlight Children’s Foundation, the Fight Cancer Foundation, and the Men of League Foundation.