![Lakes coach Ian Bourke. Picture by Marina Neil Lakes coach Ian Bourke. Picture by Marina Neil](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/max.mckinney/22dd2149-d500-421f-80a4-4fc0431d20f9.jpg/r0_0_5921_3947_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Lakes coach Ian Bourke intends to step away for a potential "gap year" from rugby league once his tenure at the Seagulls and commitments with the Knights' NRLW side ends this year.
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Lakes confirmed last week assistants Brad Murray and Al Lantry would be co-coaches in 2025.
It will bring to an end the latest of multiple stints he has had at the Seagulls as a player and/or coach.
He was part of their 2001 premiership and back-to-back 06-07 titles.
After coaching roles at Wyong and the Knights, he re-joined Lakes prior to 2022 and has been there ever since.
Also juggling full-time mine work, on night shift, and an assistant NRLW role, he felt a need to step back.
"The club knew I probably only wanted three years," Bourke said.
"There's a lot of time and sacrifice you need to give, and I think I've given that.
"It's time for me to look after myself a little bit and potentially have a gap year ... free myself from footy and freshen up. I just want to make my family first.
"The club's in really good shape at the moment.
"From our juniors to our female program ...
"I'm really proud of that. I feel as though we've got the strongest female program in our catchment area."
The Seagulls are eighth after two wins, a draw and four losses in the men's first-grade competition this season.
They were without former NRL players Dylan Phythian and Peter Mata'utia in last week's 26-12 loss to Cessnock, but Bourke was hopeful both would be on deck to face Kurri Kurri at Cahill Oval on Saturday.