4/16/2012
McKenzie and Graham to drive Queensland Rugby in 2013 and beyond
Queensland Rugby is planning for the future and establishing a new coaching structure which will see Super Rugby winning coach Ewen McKenzie appointed as the St.George Queensland Reds Director of Coaching in 2013 before transitioning to Queensland Rugby’s inaugural Director of Rugby in 2014 and beyond.
The new structure is a result of a six-month plan which evaluated the requirements of the elite football department and its implementation has allowed for Western Force Coach and former Reds fullback Richard Graham to be secured as Head Coach of the Reds for the 2013 season and beyond.
Graham’s recruitment allows McKenzie to take on a broader Rugby role and also the opportunity to undertake new responsibilities in managing major Rugby strategy, outside of the daily activity of the St.George Queensland Reds.
In 2013, McKenzie will ensure Graham’s transition into Queensland Rugby next year by facilitating the new coach’s knowledge and understanding of the unique sporting landscape in Queensland and also the organisation’s strategies and structures.
In 2014 and beyond, some of McKenzie’s objectives will be to drive growth and development in the community game which includes over 200 clubs, the redevelopment of Ballymore into an elite and community sporting precinct while maintaining a high level role in setting the direction of the Reds, particularly around talent pathways and recruitment and retention strategies.
Graham, 39, played for the Reds between 1998 and 2002 and will return home to Queensland after serving as head coach of the Western Force since 2010 and as Wallabies skills coach from 2009 to 2010.
Prior to his coaching roles in Australia, the former Easts representative was an assistant coach for UK-club Bath between 2002-2006 before moving to Saracens in 2006 and fulfilling various coaching roles until taking the reins as Head Coach in 2009.
Queensland Rugby chief executive Jim Carmichael said the decision to unite McKenzie and Graham in 2013 was about providing the organisation the opportunity to build ongoing excellence for Rugby in Queensland.
“Richard is an outstanding leader and Rugby coach who has consistently demonstrated his value at fostering a strong culture at a professional football franchise,” Mr Carmichael said.
“Of particular interest to Queensland Rugby is the emphasis Richard places on maintaining and fostering a strong relationship between the elite team and the community game and everything in between.
“The opportunity to unite two highly regarded Australian rugby talents in Ewen and Richard is a great outcome for Queensland Rugby and a major part of our long-term planning for the ongoing success of the Reds.
“Ewen and his team have built an extraordinary platform for the Reds and now we have the opportunity to also include Richard in our plans, with the ability to allow him to learn our structures and strategy in 2013, rather than an immediate jump.
“Ewen brings so much more to our organisation that just a successful Rugby team. He possesses a deep understanding of our business and where we must get to in the next three years and beyond.
“We believe the culture within the Reds and within our entire organisation is unique, and is a key element to ensuring ongoing success. Ewen plays a vital role in balancing and fostering such an environment and we believe Richard will complement the culture.”
McKenzie said has been impressed in what he had seen in Graham during his time as Head Coach of the Force.
“Richard has managed the Force well through difficult times and in difficult circumstances,” McKenzie said.
“They have an improved track record this year, they defeated us in Perth recently and also performed very well against the Waratahs to beat them on their home ground this season.
“Richard carries a good reputation within the administration and among the playing group but what’s really impressed me is what he has achieved in the Rugby space, especially in driving a connection between the elite team and the community and engaging with the code’s grass-roots.
“To be honest, we didn’t want another rugby technician, we wanted a likeminded coach who understands the totality of rugby and understands where we are trying to take this business and is committed to that cause.
“I will still be overseeing the Rugby department, we’re just moving towards a more European style model.
“Richard coming to the Reds is also an opportunity for me to grow as a professional person, I’ve been an assistant coach, head coach and now I have the chance to progress to being a Director of Coaching at the Reds in 2013 and transitioning to a Director of Rugby at the state governing body in 2014 and beyond, while ensuring we have the best Rugby coach at the Reds in Richard for many years to come.
“I am particularly interested in executing Queensland Rugby’s Future Generation plan (2012-2014) which is built around strategy designed to achieve ongoing success and long-term sustainability for the Code.”
Graham said returning home to coach the St.George Queensland Reds was a family decision, made in mind with his future ambitions in Rugby.
“I thoroughly enjoy and appreciate my time in Perth with the Western Force and the experience I have gained over the past two years I believe will make me a better coach for the next stage in my career,” Graham said.
“The opportunity to return to Queensland with my family and coach my former team is something I couldn’t pass up.
“It’s a wonderful organisation and it’s vitally important to my Rugby future.
“Working with Ewen McKenzie and the Reds is going to be a new professional challenge and one I am looking forward to in 2013.”
Richard Graham Born: 05/08/1972
Coaching Appointments:
Skills, Backs and Defence Coach – Bath, 2002-06
Backs and Defence / Coaching Coordinator – Saracens, 2006-09
Head Coach – Saracens 2009
Skills Coach –Wallabies, 2009 – 2010
Backs Coach –Western Force 2010
Head Coach – Western Force 2011-2012
Coaching Achievements:
English Premiership Finalists – 2003-04 (Bath)
Powergen Cup Finalists – 2004-05 (Bath)
Heineken Cup Semi-Finalists – 2005-06 (Bath)
Heineken Cup Semi-Finalists – 2007-08 (Saracens)
Playing Career:
Australian Sevens (1998 – 2002)
Queensland Reds (1998 – 2002)
Australia A (2001)
Commonwealth Games (1998 & 2002)