Coaches Show Class in New Category

Coaches Show Class in New Category

In the days leading up to the 2015 NZRL Awards on February 3, we take a look at the finalists in each category. Today, we consider the new title of Domestic Coach of the Year …

Two of the final three have become part of the national teams programme in recent times, while one has stamped his class on the NZRL National Premiership over the past couple of seasons.

Darrell Coad (Canterbury/Southern Zone)
After steering the Canterbury Bulls to the 2014 premiership title in somewhat controversial circumstances, Coad backed that up last year with a top-of-the-table finish through the regular season and entered the final as slight favourites to retain their title.

Unfortunately, it was not to be, as the Bulls went down to an in-form Counties Manukau side, but Coad’s approach to the competition certainly set high standards for his rivals to chase.

“Darrell oversaw a number of changes to the way the team prepare for the campaign and these changes took the professionalism of the team to a new level,” says NZRL Southern Zone general manager Steve Martin.

“Pre-season and in-season visits to club trainings were a first for the Canterbury area, with great responses received from the clubs and their coaches to the initiative.

“Darrell and his manager took the time, in their own time, to go to the other districts of the South Island to view club rugby league and prospective players. This was also well received by those districts and helped to bind the region together.”

The Bulls were also very active in the community, running school clinics and promoting health messages.

“Under Darrell’s leadership, the Canterbury Bulls raised the bar on the standards required to perform at the highest level domestically,” says Martin.

Grant Pocklington (Auckland/Akarana Zone)
Pocklington’s success has come primarily at club level, where he has helped steer Pt Chevalier Pirates to a Sharman Cup second division title and three Fox Memorial crowns in the last five years.

He also guided the Auckland U21 development team to an unbeaten record and oversaw all coaching development at his Pt Chev club.

Pocklington was further rewarded for his achievements with appointment as assistant coach for the Kiwi Ferns national women’s programme.

Rod Ratu (Counties Manukau Zone)
Ratu achieved two significant rugby league results during 2015, firstly steering the NZ Secondary Schools team to a dramatic 30-22 comeback victory over touring NSW Combined High Schools at Papakura.

Trailling 22-4 at half-time, the students ran in five second-half tries and held their rivals scoreless after the break to complete an incredible reversal of form.

After also taking the NZ 18s to Queensland for two “tests” against Australian Schoolboys, Ratu returned to his representative role with Counties Manukau, leading them to the NZRL National Premiership crown, with a convincing victory over titleholders Canterbury at Mt Smart Stadium.

“Rod also holds a part-time position with the Warriors, as part of their development staff, and is considered by many to be one of the best talent identifiers in the game,” says NZRL Counties Manukau Zone general manager Kasey King.

“He heads the Counties Manukau 2015/16 academy and currently holds the number one coaching spot in the Counties Manukau Zone, a title he doesn’t enjoy, but through his actions, he demonstrates why it’s his.

“Rod is always initiating development programmes that are targeted at coaches, as much as they are at players of the game.”

Who will take out the NZRL Domestic Coach of the Year award at Auckland’s Maritime Room on Wednesday, February 3?

ENDS

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