**Steve Folkes Bio**
(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
Steve Folkes (born 30 January 1960) is a former Australian rugby league test footballer and former coach of the Bulldogs in the National Rugby League. As of May 2009, he is the strength and conditioning coach for the West Indies cricket team.
**Playing career**
Folkes, who came from the Bankstown Sports Junior Rugby League Club, played 245 first grade games and 308 grade games for the Bulldogs between 1978 and 1991 as well as 24 games for Hull FC in England. He also represented New South Wales on nine occasions in State of Origin football. He was a member of the 1986 Kangaroo Tour and played in five Tests between 1986-88\. He was an exceptionally hard-working second-row forward; despite playing at 85 kilograms, he could beat many, much bigger opponents through the number of tackles he was able to make.
As a player, Folkes played in 6 Grand Finals (1979, 80, 84, 85, 86 and 88) winning on four occasions.
**Coaching career**
After serving as reserve grade coach of the Bulldogs between 1996 and 1997, Folkes was appointed coach of the Bulldogs to succeed Chris Anderson. In his first year as coach, the Bulldogs made the 1998 grand final, where they lost to the Brisbane Broncos.
The Bulldogs appeared poised to claim the 2002 premiership but were disqualified and stripped 37 premiership points after a major salary cap breach was uncovered. Folkes would claim his premiership two seasons later with a 16-13 defeat of the Sydney Roosters in the grand final.
The 2004 grand final victory continues a unique tradition at the Bulldogs - every coach appointed by the club since 1978 - (Ted Glossop, Warren Ryan, Phil Gould, Chris Anderson and Folkes) - has won a premiership. At the end of the 2007 season, Folkes' win record with the Bulldogs was 60%. Folkes is on contract with the Bulldogs until the end of 2008.
Steve Folkes was awarded Dally M Coach of the Year in 2004\. Steve Folkes has the 2nd highest success rate of any coach in the History of the NRL in making semi finals.
Folkes celebrated a 30yr association with the Bulldogs in 2008 making him one of the greatest clubman in world sport. As announced 7 April 2008, Folkes will end his tenure as Canterbury coach at the end of the 2008 season.
Folkes is married to Karen, who is the daughter of Bulldogs 'godfather', Peter Moore.
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