The Coach - Standing up

When my family was first introduced to weekend sport, for some reason I thought my son was going to get professional coaching  by someone who knows everything about the game. I know now that the clubs survive on the kindness and efforts of volunteers. It is definitely a lottery what kind of coach your child gets. A coach could be one of the players dads (most common) A brother, mother ,sister, uncle, family friend plus many others who think they can offer something or just to be there. Either by design or by default, I applaud the courage of all who give it crack.

 In 2002 my son Taine and I were fated to meet Norm Tedder who was a wear your heart on your sleeve junior coach( you all know one or will meet one). He was Taine's  first rugby union coach(Rockdale Rugby U6) who would later introduce us to junior rugby league(Coogee Wombats 2003 U7)  and open up a whole new world for us.

It took me a while to really get involved and to help out. I was a shy noob (newbie) I eventually put my hand up to help after watching Norm in the middle of chaos(ten six year old boys) its easy to imagine that picture. I couldn't stand back and judge and complain anymore I decided to just have the coaches back and to do what I could do to help, just being there can make the difference. Being involved with junior sports development has given me great joy and is my biggest contribution to the community thus far.

I was an average player but I did have a great understanding of the basic fundamentals of the game(both codes) skills like ball handling, catch pass and tackling. All my teachings are based around these skills and new skills and drills picked up along the way from the different coaches I have worked with and of course the internet these days. I will share with you much of what I have learnt through these pages.

I have spent most of my time in the trainers position mainly due to being a shift worker you know we all have to work. The beauty of this position especially in league you get to be on the field with the players, you can closely monitor what's going on with them, pass on information and you get that front line sort of feeling close up to the action.

My credentials

2002 Rockdale Rugby U6(helper)
2003 Rockdale Rugby U7- trainer, Coogee Wombats RL U7 trainer
2004 Rockdale Rugby U8-trainer /forwards coach, Coogee Wombats RL U8 trainer,
2005 Rockdale Rugby U9-trainer/forwards coach, Coogee Wombats RL U9 trainer, Penshurst RSL RL U6 trainer
2006 Rockdale Rugby U10- trainer forwards coach, Coogee Wombats RL U10, Penshurst RSL RL U7 trainer.
2010 The Maungatapu Wailers RL U10 trainer/coach
2012 Penshurst RSL RL U13 trainer, Penshurst RSL U6 Gold trainer/coach
2013 Penshurst RSL RL U7 trainer/coach

I'd like to thank all of the coaches I have played under and coached with for sharing and passing on your knowledge of the game on to me. I'd also like to thank the parents for being involved in the game. And most importantly the players I have been involved with thanks for the memories.

UP THE GUTS