Ivan Cleary’s Game-Changing Initiative: Penrith Panthers Coach Transforms Lives Beyond the Field
Penrith, NSW – October 20, 2025 – In a move that exemplifies the true essence of leadership, Penrith Panthers head coach Ivan Cleary has launched an inspiring community sports initiative aimed at empowering underprivileged youth. Dubbed “Panthers Pathways to Dreams,” the program isn’t just about handing out rugby balls—it’s a lifeline for kids from low-income families, Indigenous communities, and at-risk backgrounds, offering them structured training, mentorship, and real pathways to pursue their sporting ambitions. Cleary, fresh off guiding the Panthers to an unprecedented four consecutive NRL premierships (2021-2024), insists this is where greatness truly shines: not in silverware, but in the lives it ignites.
“Winning trophies is incredible, but it’s the impact off the field that keeps me going,” Cleary said during the launch event at Panthers Stadium last Friday. Surrounded by a sea of wide-eyed children in brand-new Panthers jerseys, the 54-year-old coach shared his vision with raw passion. “These kids aren’t just playing a game; they’re building futures. We’ve seen too many talents lost to circumstance. This is about turning hope into action—coaching them into champions, on and off the pitch.”
The initiative builds on the Panthers’ longstanding community pillars, expanding programs like “Panthers on the Prowl” and “Sticks to Stadium.” Funded initially through a $250,000 club investment—bolstered by corporate sponsors and player donations—it will provide free weekly clinics for 500 youths aged 8-16 across Western Sydney. Sessions include rugby league fundamentals, but also life skills workshops on mental health, nutrition, and goal-setting, led by Cleary’s star players, including his son and Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary.
Drawing from his own journey—from a record-breaking playing career to navigating coaching lows at the Wests Tigers and a triumphant return to Penrith in 2019—Cleary has woven personal vulnerability into the program’s core. In his upcoming memoir, *Not Everything Counts But Everything Matters*, he opens up about his 2019 mental health struggles upon rejoining the Panthers, a period marked by self-doubt amid high expectations. “I was at rock bottom, but talking about it saved me,” he reflected. Now, “Panthers Pathways” mandates peer-led mental health sessions, partnering with Beyond Blue to destigmatize conversations for young participants. “If I can help one kid avoid that darkness, it’s worth more than any grand final,” Cleary added.
Early stories are already emerging. Ten-year-old Jamal from Mount Druitt, who joined the inaugural session, beamed as he recounted his first scrum drill with Nathan Cleary. “I never thought I’d touch a footy like this. Coach Ivan said I could be anything—it’s real now.” For Indigenous youth, the program echoes “Sticks to Stadium,” sponsoring regional trips to Penrith for immersive experiences, fostering cultural pride alongside athletic growth. The Panthers’ adopt-a-school model will integrate clinics into 20 local primaries, targeting disengagement hotspots with reading programs and player role-model visits.
The launch drew luminaries from the NRL world. League boss Andrew Abdo praised Cleary as “a benchmark for holistic leadership,” while rival coaches like Wayne Bennett sent congratulatory messages. Phil Gould, Cleary’s former Panthers boss and now a Bulldogs executive, attended, mending past tensions with a heartfelt embrace. “Ivan’s always been about the bigger picture. This is Penrith at its best—community first.”
Critics might argue the timing is perfect: with the Panthers’ 2025 season underway and a fifth-straight title in sight, Cleary’s off-field focus could inspire on-field unity. Yet, for the coach who once stared down a 4-13 record in 2012, this is no PR stunt. “Success isn’t measured in wins alone,” he emphasized. “It’s in the futures we shape.”
As the sun set over a pickup game at the stadium, laughter echoed louder than cheers. “Panthers Pathways to Dreams” isn’t just a program—it’s a revolution, proving rugby league’s power to heal and uplift. With Cleary at the helm, underprivileged youth aren’t dreaming small anymore; they’re charging toward the try line of possibility.
