A champion NRL coach who became paralysed from the neck down in a shocking surf accident has a new lease on life after being recruited by the St George Illawarra Dragons.
Former NRL coach Daniel Anderson suffered a freak bodysurfing accident in 2023 that left him an incomplete quadriplegic.
He was on a family holiday at Soldiers Beach on the NSW central coast when a wave dumped him head-first, causing catastrophic spinal injuries and cardiac arrest.
Off-duty paramedics on the beach saved his life and he was airlifted to Royal North Shore Hospital.
‘I was dragged from the water unresponsive and then went into cardiac arrest,’ Anderson said at the time.
‘I’m very lucky the paramedics were there. I was obviously in a bad way. If they weren’t there, who knows how it would have finished up.’
The St George Illawarra Dragons have announced Daniel Anderson as their new Head of Recruitment and Pathways
Anderson worked at the Roosters for six years, both before and after the accident that left him a quadriplegic
Anderson was well liked at the Roosters. He’s pictured centre with former employee Anthony Field and Roosters player Lachlan Dooner
Anderson now requires help with basic tasks but is regaining small movements through intensive rehab.
Despite his condition, he continued working for the Sydney Roosters as head of recruitment.
Now, Anderson has received good news with the St George Illawarra Dragons revealing he would take on the position of Head of Recruitment and Pathways.
‘We are excited to welcome Daniel to the Dragons,’ Dragons CEO Tim Watsford said.
‘We undertook an extensive search that crossed the game, broader sporting industry and varying stakeholders.
‘Daniel was a standout with regard to credentials, cultural fit and an eye to support the coaching team and wider football department in delivering success through talent identification.
‘Recruitment and Pathways for the Dragons is a broad, wide-reaching and integral role.
‘With two new teams entering the competition and the premiership never being closer, it’s important to secure key football appointments now that generate momentum as we build a robust future.
Anderson is lucky that two off-duty paramedics were on hand to save his life when his world was shattered on a NSW central coast beach in 2023
Anderson has strong credentials as a coach and led the New Zealand Warriors to their first-ever NRL finals campaign
Anderson also steered the Parramatta Eels to an unlikely NRL Grand Final in 2009 before falling to the Melbourne Storm
‘Daniel possesses the knowledge, skill set and temperament to implement long-lasting systems to develop, identify and recruit talent to succeed at the top level.’
As an NRL coach, Daniel Anderson guided the Warriors to their first-ever finals series in 2001 and a historic Grand Final appearance in 2002.
He also led the Eels to the 2009 Grand Final and enjoyed strong success in the Super League.
During his time with St Helens, Anderson won back-to-back Challenge Cups in 2006 and 2007, reached three consecutive Super League Grand Finals, lifted the trophy in 2006, and capped it off with a 2007 World Club Challenge victory over the Broncos.
Dragons fans have hailed the recruitment of Anderson, who spent the last six years at the Sydney Roosters.
‘Potentially one of the best signings in the joint venture history,’ one fan posted.
‘Daniel Anderson has a great history of identifying young talent in particular in recent years at the Roosters.
‘Look at how many young guns the Roosters have debuted in the NRL in recent years.’
Another added: ‘I’m absolutely thrilled to have someone with your expertise at the club.’
‘Wishing you all the best as you implement systems to develop, identify, and recruit top talent to help get the Dragons back to the top of the NRL and playing finals footy and potentially grand finals, including winning them.’
