LEIGH have pinned their faith in a man who has been a winner all his coaching career.

Ian Millward doesn't know the meaning of failure - only varying degrees of success.

And, after a glittering career with Illawarra Steelers, he has decided to throw in his lot with the Division One bottom club.

But, if his track record is any yardstick, the Australian club's loss is Leigh's gain.

Illawarra chief executive Bob Millward - Ian's father - says: "His departure will leave a gaping hole in our coaching staff.

"But we fully realise he has to seek employment elsewhere to fulfil his coaching potential. He goes with our best wishes."

Millward, 38, would have found limited senior coaching positions in Australia with a number of club mergers on the cards.

And, encouraged by the Steelers board and other such Australian colleagues such as Graham Murray and John Dorahy, he instead opted to move his wife and three children to Leigh in an effort to establish a foothold in the English game.

He has signed a two-year contract with a one-year option, and will be over in time to take charge of the pre-season preparation work.

A former captain of the New South Wales Schoolboys side and later a first grade player with the Steelers, Millward's career was cut short by a serious neck injury in 1982.

Turning his attentions to coaching in the Illawarra league, he worked as an assistant to Dorahy. Between 1989-92 he guided the University of Wollongong to a Grand Final and then was appointed coach to the Illawarra Divisional team. In 1993 he returned to the Steelers and spent two seasons as U21s coach under current Leeds boss Murray.

Millward continued to progress through the ranks . . . first grade assistant and reserve grade coach under Allan Fitzgibbon in 1995; U21 coach and and Head Junior coach under Allan McMahon the following year before moving into full-time coaching two years ago as first grade assistant and reserve grade coach under former Wigan star Andrew Farrar.

Under Millward the young Steelers sides enjoyed outstanding success. They twice won the NSW Junior Club Championship while the U21s and Reserve Grades qualified for finals.

Looking back at that era, former Steelers and Cronulla Sharks coach Allan Fitzgibbon says: "His record speaks volumes. His input and coaching techniques have enabled the Illawarra area to become one of the most successful in the country."

Dorahy, formerly coach at Wigan and Warrington and who began his English career as a youngster with Leigh, adds: "Having played and coached in England I feel Ian would be an outstanding asset to any club."

Millward, who also has vast experience working in corporate sponsorship, promotion and marketing and in the media, sets out his four main objectives.

"To apply my extensive leadership skills and experience.

"Use my comprehensive technical knowledge of Rugby League.

"Maintain my capacity and desire for innovation.

"Sustain an ability to generate high levels of motivation and enjoyment among players and staff."

And he has already started on his homework. As well as studying videos of Leigh in action, he plans to contact as many of the playing and backroom staff as possible before he leaves for England.

It sounds like Leigh have uncovered a gem.

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