Canberra Raiders NRL coach Ricky Stuart has given a powerful and personal insight into how his family's journey with autism has fundamentally shaped his approach to life, parenting, and professional coaching.
Family Experience Fuels Advocacy and New Facility
In a candid interview on the Wine With Wita podcast, hosted by speech therapist Rita Shamoun, Stuart spoke of the profound lessons learned from his 28-year-old daughter, Emma, who was diagnosed with autism at age 11. This personal experience was the catalyst for him establishing the Ricky Stuart Foundation in 2011, dedicated to supporting families and individuals with autism.
The foundation is now preparing for a significant new project: the construction of John Fordham House in South Jerrabomberra. This purpose-built home, named in honour of Stuart's former manager, will provide accommodation for four young people with disability and their support workers. The project, scheduled to begin construction in late 2026, is backed by $5.1 million in NSW government funding.
"We need so much more of this," Stuart emphasised. "If I can just play that 1 per cent part in the community, I feel I'm helping other families receive what's been good and worked for my family." He expressed a strong belief that every child with autism or a disability deserves a fair go, acknowledging the significant financial and emotional struggles many families face.
From Parenting to Coaching: Lessons in Patience and Care
Stuart revealed that the resilience and toughness of his daughter serve as a constant source of inspiration. "She's tough and she's resilient," he said, highlighting the challenges individuals with autism face when others don't understand their unique needs and ways of learning. He credits Emma with teaching him greater patience, a quality he now actively applies in his role as head coach of the Raiders.
This philosophy of holistic care extends directly to his players. Stuart shared how he has provided support to Raiders forward Josh Papali'i, whose four-year-old son, young Joshua, was diagnosed with autism last year. "I can share my experiences through our foundation, through our family's experiences with Josh and help them get the best advice," Stuart explained.
For Stuart, coaching transcends the football field. "Coaching is not just about when you see them playing on the footy field. For me as a coach, I have such a level of care that you want to help them outside the field as well," he stated. He emphasised the importance of player welfare and happiness, noting he makes his approach "very personal" and conducts a lot of support work behind the scenes.
Looking Forward: Foundation Goals and Football Focus
On a personal level, Stuart's mission continues to drive the foundation's objectives. Professionally, however, his attention is turning to the 2026 NRL season following a heartbreaking straight-sets finals exit in 2025, despite the Raiders securing the minor premiership.
"I've got to start looking at 2026. It was very hard to let go [of 2025]," Stuart admitted. "We have had a good season this year, but we've got to back it up now. We've got to try and go better than what we achieved this year."
Reflecting on his family's progress, Stuart noted that Emma is now more independent and happier than ever in her own living situation, which has also created a better life balance for his wife Kaylie and their sons. His story underscores a powerful blend of personal advocacy and professional dedication, showing how lived experience can fuel meaningful change both in the community and in the competitive world of rugby league.
