Anyone have thoughts on how Newington will go this year with the appointment of Ben Herring as the director of Rugby? Surely they will be on the improve.
The role of Director of Rugby seems to be a loose term for 1st XV coach. The ones I have seen seem to be almost quasi-coaches of the top team. In my years at Scots College there was no director rugby when I arrived. The were coaches appointed for the 1st XV firstly from the teaching staff like Pete Graham and Paul Cooper. They still had a full teaching load as well as coach the team. Most schools had this for over 100 years. Then the arms races began and coaching began to change.
Early saw schools was enticing players to the school for year 12. Fees were paid somehow but not the family. If the boy had a league team connection clubs then would pay. But what about these coaches and DOR?
It became apparent at Scots that the elusive premiership was slipping away. They had "new" players but not the right "coach". This was when Scots started to bring in outside coaches. They had some effect but they too were being hampered by school commitments. It was only when the very first full time DOR appeared in 2009 did se see Scots suddenly improve. NOT all the teams, just one. The 1st XV.
During my final year at Scots I was MIC of Prep rugby and a coach. I organized coaching sessions for the coaches (mostly hired outsiders) on how they can coach their team in special areas like scrums, line outs, tackling and so forth. Plus each week I would speak to coaches and attend sessions for the under 9's bringing along some of my lads. Not once did I see the DOC of rugby anywhere near the Prep boys.
What really got up my nose was this. I had a very good Prep 1st XV team. We lost one game to Waverley (led round the park by Tom Wright) but from my team I had 4 boys selected for the NSWCIS Primary rugby team ( I was assistant coach), 7 for the NSWCIS Primary shadow team and then one of my lads made the NSW Primary team. At the end of the season rugby presentations the Director espoused how "his" rugby program has seen great success in the Prep. Not a word of thanks or commendation.
Directors may give off the air that all will suddenly will be much better. It often comes down to cattle. Newington has enjoyed a wonderful relationship with league clubs who park their recruit at Stanmore. One whisper has come to me that one poly family who have three prospects have gone cold on Stanmore as the "new" students will distract their sons from for their studies.
I do hope the new Director at Newington focuses on up skilling the coaches of every team. The most important team at any school should be
"the team I play in" and not the pointy end of the pyramid.
