Peter Louis

Louis started his playing and coaching career in Woy Woy on NSW's Central Coast before joining John Monie as understudy at P’matta in 1984. The Eels were reserve grade runners-up in 1986 and 1989 under Louis's coaching and were perennial visitors to the semi-finals during his six years with the club. Moving to Norths in 1990, he won reserve grade premierships in 1991-92 before taking over from first grade coach Steve Martin in 1993. In qualifying for the 1994 final, Norths' new-found confidence with the ball and the extra muscle shown in the forwards was a good reflection of Louis' philosophy as coach. However, the Bears failed to capitalise on this resurgence, losing preliminary final in 1996-97, and by the time Louis announced his retirement in early 1999, the wolves were circling the club. In October 1999, he was appointed NRL referees coach a week before Norths was finally excluded from the premiership.