SHAUN KENNY-DOWALL has returned to Newcastle Knights as a development coach.

Kenny-Dowall exited Hull KR at the end of the 2025 season after being an instrumental part of the coaching staff that led Rovers to the treble as an assistant to Willie Peters.

Now the 38-year-old has returned to the Knights, where he played 53 NRL games between 2017 and 2019.

The club confirmed he will work across their under-16 and under-18 elite development squads in Newcastle, the Greater Northern Region and Mid North Coast.

“I’ve always had a lot of love for this club, so to come back and help develop young players is really special,” said Kenny-Dowall, who spent years at Hull KR as a player and then two as a coach.

“It’s about being present in our communities, supporting junior clubs and making sure young players across the region know the Knights are invested in them.”

Newcastle’s director of football, Chris James, is sure Kenny-Dowall will help develop new talent.

“Shaun has a deep connection to this club and our region, and he’s passionate about giving back,” James said.

“Bringing him into our pathways system is a significant boost for our junior development and underlines our commitment to producing quality local players.

“He’s a terrific person and role model, and he’ll be an asset across the whole club, not just within pathways.”