A noted talent scout and the most successful coach in the six-year history of the NRL's under-20s competition, Ackland announced in June that he was quitting his post as the Junior Warriors mentor due primarily, to irreconcilable differences with first-grade coach Matt Elliott
Ackland, a former Warriors assistant under Ivan Cleary, was the coach of the junior side between 2010 and 2013, nurturing the young careers of the likes of future internationals Shaun Johnson, Elijah Taylor, Konrad Hurrell and Carlos Tuimavave
Ackland, who played one test for the Kiwis in 1983, was also a successful coach with the Mt Albert Lions in Auckland, as well as serving as the Bulldogs' Kiwi scout and helping the Sydney club sign up the likes of Sonny Bill Williams and Roy Asotasi
