Melbourne Storm have shared a medical update on head coach Craig Bellamy, who has been diagnosed with a form of neurodegenerative disorder.
Widely regarded as one of the sport’s greatest ever coaches, Bellamy is the longest-serving coach in the NRL with the 67-year-old appointed as head coach of the Storm back in 2003, helping create them into one of the competiton’s powerhouse clubs.
They have fallen short in the past two Grand Finals but Bellamy has overseen five NRL titles, though two were subsequently stripped on account of salary cap breaches.
Recent weeks have seen the Storm’s form dip with the club having lost six in a row but club chairman Matt Tripp has insisted that Bellamy’s personal diagnosis is not something to have impacted that form.
In a club statement, Melbourne announced news of Bellamy’s health and confirmed that specialists had advised that the diagnosis will not impact his coaching in the immediate future.
A neurodegenerative disorder is a widespread term for a condition that relates to the incurable and progressive deterioration of the central nervous system. Common conditions include Parkinsons and Alzheimers though Melbourne have made no comment on the nature of Bellamy’s condition, and have confirmed that they will not do so in the future.
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Melbourne Storm share Craig Bellamy update
An update shared by the club announced: “Melbourne Storm wishes to provide an update regarding the health of senior coach Craig Bellamy.
“Over recent weeks, in consultation with specialists, Craig has undergone a series of medical tests and has since been diagnosed with a form of Neurodegenerative Disorder.
“He is receiving the best possible medical treatment and has been advised by specialists that his diagnosis will not have an impact on his ability to coach the team in the immediate future.”
Club chair Matt Tripp said: “Despite our recent results, I firmly believe Craig is still coaching at an elite level and I have no doubt he is the right person to drive the Club forward. Craig has the full support of the board, players, coaches, and staff to continue leading the Club as he has done for the last 24 seasons.”
Melbourne will look to snap their losing streak this weekend when they take on Kristian Woolf’s Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
Melbourne Storm wishes to provide an update regarding the health of senior coach Craig Bellamy.
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— Melbourne Storm (@storm) April 30, 2026
