
Former Hull KR captain Shaun Kenny-Dowall has spoken about his aims and motivations after landing a new deal and role at the club.
The two-time Super League Dream Team centre hung up the boots at the end of the 2023 season and moved into a coaching role with the club whilst also working to develop academy talents.
Prior to the 2025 season, it was confirmed that the Kiwi would become an assistant coach at the club and he has now had his deal extended to the end of the 2026 campaign.
Having joined prior to the 2020 Super League season, Kenny-Dowall made 93 appearances for the Robins but he’s now set to continue his journey with Hull KR – something he told BBC Radio Humberside that he is ‘over the moon’ about.
The 36-year-old explained: “I’m over the moon obviously to remain at the club after a few successful years on and off the field. They’ve been so good to me in the transition after my coaching career and I’ve really enjoyed the coaching aspect.
“To be able to give back to the club and stay there and be a part of chasing the silverware that we’re all after, I’m just really happy to be at the club for another two years.”
Hull KR coach outlines silverware motivation behind new deal

Credit: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
Outlining what made him commit to the club, the former NRL centre highlighted the fan base and people are the club as having a major impact.
He said: “For me it was about the passion of the people and how much it means to Hull KR fans and the owners and why they’re involved with Hull KR – that really rubbed off on me from the get-go.
“My family is here, my daughter was born in Hull, it just feels like home and the right time to continue the journey that we’re on.”
The transition from Development Coach to assistant coach is a major step and that’s not lost on Kenny-Dowall but he claimed that the pressure helps fuel him.
“It’s a new challenge for me,” he explained.
“I understand it’s a high-pressure role because of the expectations of what we want to achieve but that excites me.
“I’ve got some great mentors who have been doing it for a long time so to get the opportunity to learn from them and Willie is something that really gets me excited.
“He’s given me the belief that I can partake in this journey but he’s also given me the tools and helped me develop as a person in this role.”
Kenny-Dowall retired at the end of the 2023 Super League season, a campaign that had seen him earn Dream Team honours prompting some to query why he did not play on.
Asked whether he was content with his retirement call,he noted: “I’m 110% content. Obviously, I was disappointed not to be able to take Hull KR to silverware but the fact that I still get that opportunity in the coach’s role. I need that challenge and desire to strive to something – to still be able to do that keeps pushing me forward.”
