Rugby representative playing career
During my rehabilitation period, I stayed involved with the team, helping the coaches by watching game footage and providing feedback, organising skills drills for the players as well as offering individual advice as appropriate.
Waikato U19’s (1999)My first year playing in the waikato club competition I was selected for the Waikato U19’s where I played every game and our team lost just the one to Auckland in the North Region final.
Coaching Career
Morrinsville u85s (2019 – 2020)
Head coach of the u85s leading them to back to back championship titles in 2019/2020. Many challenges faced during the year including adapting coaching and playing style to a set of individuals that are all approx the same weight. Hence thought process and identification/creation of space was constantly adapted and tried as well as training attendance due to varied work commitments.
As head coach I focused on ensuring the coaching/management team were cohesive in objectives and planning. I directed the team ethos and culture by working on player input and accountability. The review at the end of the seasons were extremely positive (always helps when you win). Included in this direction was an attitude to support the community which was accomplished with success throughout the the year.
- Back set-piece
- Team attack system
- Skills focusing on catch-pass and kick fundamentals
- Team direction, management leadership
Morrinsville College 1st XV (2017 – 2018)
Assistant coach for 2 seasons for the Morrinsville College 1st XV. During this time the college won the Cup competed for but 2nd tier colleges for the first time. The role produced a whole new set of challenges being the first time for many years coaching at a age group level. It was both exciting and a great deal of learning occured. During my tenar here I was also involved in the U15 Piako team during 2017.
- Back set-piece
- Team attack system
- Skills focusing on catch-pass and kick fundamentals
Head coach of the Waikato u85’s team which competed against Auckland, North Harbour, Counties and Wellington. Worked with a team of 2 other coaches, 2 managers and an assistant aide. Involved in a trial Ggame which included around 40 players and from which we picked a squad of 26.
During the season we didn’t manage to win a game however lost all our games within 7-13 points except for Wellington. End of season player review forms filled out showed a 90% enjoyment rate from the players both in regards to training content and delivery, and overall season enjoyment.
- Back set-piece
- Team attack system
- Defence attack system
Other areas split between the other coaches included Tackle and the contact, forwards set-piece and skill development.
In 2016 my role changed to Head co-coach
- 2014 – Runners up
- 2015 – Co winners (final ended in a draw)
- 2016 – Winners
Assistant and backs coach to the Waihou Seniors who competed in the Thames Valley Senior A division. My role worked closely with the Head coach to deliver and prepare trainings as well as working with players individually to help improve their skill levels.
Helped guide the team to a 2014 finals appearance after finishing at the bottom of the table the previous season. Responsibilities included
- Backs coach
- Attack systems and structures coach
- Planning training sessions
- Individual skills coach
- Player profiling and reviews
- Game video analysis using SportsCode Gamebreaker
- In 2016 my role changed from Attack to Defence systems coach
- Backing yourself and always attack to breach (break the line)
- A high work rate by all players that included wingers involved in every set-piece attack
- Emphasis on basic skill level i.e. passing and kicking
- A positive attitude that involved playing to the whistle and never giving up
To instill these principles I tried to make trainings different and unique at all times while encouraging a fun but focused environment. This was achieved through games and competitions that also worked on core skills and philosophies as well as continually reminding players the expectations the coaching staff had.
In this role I was also involved with helping with the team structure and attack/defense game plan and added input to the overall running of the team.