Coach’s Corner: Stuart Esera

As season 2026 continues to get underway, the coaches of the Redcliffe Dolphins’ Hostplus Cup, BRL and junior representative teams will share insight into their squads and expectations for the year ahead.

In this edition of Coach’s Corner, Harvey Norman Under 19s coach Stuart Esera talks about the connection he has tried to build among his squad as they look for improvement in 2026.

Coaching history

Stuart Esera hails from New Zealand, where his junior club was the Hornby Panthers in Christchurch. While still playing in New Zealand’s equivalent of the Queensland Cup, Esara started helping out with the Under 16s at the Panthers and this was his introduction to coaching.

Over the years, he helped with a number of other junior teams across New Zealand, including in Canterbury and Nelson before he moved to Australia in 2009. He put coaching to the side until 2014 when he took up a role assisting with Rugby League Samoa Queensland. He then started moving further, taking up coaching roles with Aspley Devils and Brighton Roosters. In 2021, he helped with his first female team through Rugby League Samoa, alongside Rob Tanielu, before coaching Valleys Diehards in the SEQW competition and managing with Norths Devils in the Harvey Norman Under 19s.

He this year joins Redcliffe Dolphins as the Harvey Norman Under 19s head coach.

How are you feeling ahead of the 2026 season?

Stuart: I’m optimistic. I feel like we’re in a fairly good position. I know there’s a lot of chat around what the team did in the previous season (two wins, one draw and three losses). But all the things before me, those are things I can’t change or influence. All I can do is control what’s in front of me. We’re going to be a competitive footy team. We’re not going to just go out and be a number. The things they’ve learned, they’ve taken on board. They’re a tough group, resilient group and really well-connected.

How is the squad shaping up?

S: We only retained a third from the 17s group that we had last year. That puts a spin on what you do and what you think your combos are going to look like. We have a squad of 25 and it’s a fairly good quality squad. There’s a really good balance of youth and experience. You have some really, really experienced girls, including a few in the Broncos system and they’re a big influence. They’re really good leaders. I also set up a cultural and standards group within the team and they have specific roles within the group. It seems to be working well. Standards-wise, I set an expectation and they reinforce that standard.

What are your goals for the team this year?

S: My goals for the team… I just want them to develop and improve constantly and continually. I’d like them to win more than they lose but mostly I want them to compete. I can handle a loss if we compete. If we’re competing and putting in effort, everything else will sort itself out. I want them to have fun, to be in a good environment, a safe environment, and be connected. If everyone leaves as a better version of themselves, a better person, I feel my job is done as a coach.

What is your coaching philosophy?

S: My coaching philosophy is be accountable, take ownership, be responsible and be respectful. It’s about turning up mentally. I live that through my life and those are the things I like to instil in the groups I coach. It’s really simple morals and values that I think are correct.

What do you personally hope to get out of the year ahead?

S: I don’t come into any of these coaching roles wanting another coaching role. I’m not using it as a stepping stone to the next job or to get my name out there or recognition or credit. I just take joy out of seeing people succeed. Trying to help and having an impact on their success, those are things that feed the soul a bit. The limelight, it used to be me but it’s not me anymore. I like to live a quiet life and just have honest, wholesome conversations at a really good level.