Ward became London Broncos academy head coach in 2014. The following year, he was named first team assistant coach, working under Andrew Henderson. Ward was promoted to head coach for 2018 and oversaw the Broncos' return to the Super League. He departed the club in 2021 and moved into rugby union coaching, before returning to the Super League as the head coach of the Castleford Tigers in 2023.
He was signed for Leeds Rhinos from Dewsbury Moor, and he made his début as a substitute against the Sheffield Eagles in 1999. He was named the Leeds Alliance Player of the Year in 2000, before becoming a regular first team member the following season.
Ward emulated his father by playing in the Challenge Cup Final in 2003. In 2004 he made 14 first team starts and 12 substitute appearances, and scored a try in the 46–28 win over Wakefield. Ward played for the Leeds Rhinos at prop in their 2004 Super League Grand Final victory over the Bradford Bulls.
At the beginning of the 2006's Super League XI, Ward was released after an unsavoury incident. He joined the Castleford Tigers, who had just been promoted from National League One. Ward adapted well to his new surroundings and one of his highlights that year was a try in the 31–30 victory over his former employers at the Jungle. However, his efforts were not enough to save Castleford from relegation.[citation needed]
Hull Kingston Rovers
For the 2007 season, he like Luke Dyer, a teammate of his at Castleford, moved east to pastures new at Craven Park with Hull Kingston Rovers. So far, Ward has yet to make the impact that he did at both Leeds and Castleford, but his presence presents a danger to any defence in the whole of Super League.
Harlequins Rugby League
Ward in action for Harlequins RL
He was released from Hull Kingston Rovers on 17 September 2007. He signed a two-year deal with Harlequins starting from the 2008 season.[5]
International level
Ward first played at international level for the Great Britain Academy before being selected for John Kear's England Under-21 squad for the tour of South Africa at the end of the 2001's Super League VI. England won the first match 112–6, and the second match 74–14. In 2002 he was selected in the England 'A' squad to play New Zealand at Griffin Park, losing 12–34. He then was part of the squad to tour Fiji and Tonga. One of his highlights in 2002 was a drop goal in a victory at the Boulevard on his 21st birthday.[citation needed]
In 2004 Ward made the transition into the senior Great Britain team making his début as a substitute against New Zealand in the Tri Nations competition.
Coaching career
London Broncos
Ward was the head coach of the London Broncos Under-19s for the 2014 and 2015 seasons. He was the assistant coach in 2015 and 2017.
He was promoted to head coach from the beginning of the 2018 season. Ward took charge of his first professional game with a 56–12 victory over the Barrow Raiders.[6]
Danny then, in his first year of being head coach achieved promotion into the super league. Winning 4–2 against the Toronto Wolfpack in the final million pound game.
On 5 July 2021 it was reported that he had left the head coach role by mutual consent.[7]
Castleford Tigers
On 9 August 2023, Ward was announced as the head coach of the Castleford Tigers for just the remaining six fixtures of the 2023 season.[8]
Castleford would finish the season in 11th place, narrowly avoiding relegation.[9]
On 2 Oct 2023 it was reported that he had rejected taking the role permanently after the end of the 2023 season.[10]
Hull KR
On 2 Nov 2023 it was reported that he will join Hull KR as assistant coach on a 2-year deal[11]
