John Cartwright appointed headcoach

Catalans Dragons are pleased to announce the appointment of John Cartwright as our new headcoach until the end of the 2026 season.

The 60 years-old Australian coach, who managed Hull FC, will arrive this week in Perpignan and will be in charge of the team this weekend against York.

A legendary former player of Penrith Panthers for more than 10 years, John Cartwright started his coaching career as an assistant with the Panthers before joigning Sydney Roosters.

His first experience as headcoach came in 2007 when he took charge of newly created NRL club Gold Coast Titans. He coached nearly 200 games over 7 seasons with the club.

Following this successful spell with the Titans, he returned to assistant coaching roles at NRL clubs. He joined the North Queensland Cowboys where he clinched the NRL in 2015, then worked with Manly Warringah Sea Eagles from 2016 to 2020, and later with Bisbane Broncos from 2021 to 2023, helping the club to reach the NRL Grand Final in his last season there.

During the 2024 season, the Australian coach moved to the Super League by becoming the new Hull FC headcoach, a club he managed for nearly two years.

The Catalans Dragons’ new headcoach will be assisted by Ryan Sheridan, Micky McIlorum and Mitchell Pearce.

John Cartwright said : “I am really looking forward to the rest of the season with Catalans. It came totally out of the blue which makes it all the more exciting. Can’t thank Bernard enough for this opportunity.”