Surely the coach doesn't just pick a youngster , his job is to encourage him make him feel the job in front of him his just up his street make him feel what's needed from him and make him feel that as a coach you think that he's the man to do the job for him, I'm not sure our coach can do that

this theory of selection is only to better the weakest side and like you said there is no trusted bond between player and coach, be nice to get a draft pick but it isn't feasible

IMO what is needed is investment in the youth to encourage them to continue within the club, bring back age limit to under 21 and make the reserve side that can play in the lower divisions with no promotion

Doesn't his job also involve actually teaching something, or has that already been done?

Surely there's more to this SL coaching lark that we're all so expert at, than patting a young kid on the back as he runs on and saying "just go enjoy yourself son?"

Don't think my comments were anything like go out and enjoy yourself son

But the question remains; I agree that a coach has to motivate his players - as does anyone with a leadership role - but isn't there more to it than that?

A lot of it is if your face fits as with any job.

It worked for John Harbin, who undoubtably has brought through our best bunch in the last 30 years. Speak to anyone who was there at the time and they will tell you his RL knowledge was average at best, but he got the very best out of everyone.
He also gave youngsters a chance and stuck with them. Admittedly this wasnt always through choice, but im sure the way this was done has stood the likes of Westwood & Ellis in good stead

Boy can I relate to that.

When I returned from living in Oz after six years as a 13 year old I wanted to carry on my RL. I'd done ok in the open, friendly and approachable world of Aussie junior RL. I don't think i'd ever have made the star side or bee an Australian Schoolboy International but I was competent as FB playing for Bathurst Panthers (or Railways as they were then known).

Schoolboy RL at my new school seemed a bit hit and miss but then school for me was a bit hit and miss.

I eventually went down to club (won't name it) to see what was on offer. Now my memory is very vague as to the set up at the time but there was some sort of youth set up (this was 1976). The coach at the time when I asked if I could have a trial said gruffly "if you want" and that was the last time he looked directly at me. Maybe he didn't like me or it was the fact I was from Sandal not the "estate" as he called it, or maybe he was just having a bad day.

He never watched me once. When we played touch and pass he didn't put me on a team I just tagged along. I won the sprint challenge by some way which he didn't acknowledge and somehow seemed to suggest his fave player and probable relative was the fastest player he'd ever seen and it went on. I was ostracised by him and as you would expect his "team". I never stood a chance. A year later I went down with an estate lad I'd become friends with and trained for a few weeks and because of my new connection I was better treated especially by the lads but I'd lost the taste for it by then and I still reckon I'd have only got a game if there had only been 12 "estate" lads left with two legs.

I'm not saying Mopsey is that kind of coach but that attitude of nepotism though much diminished still exists in a fair few clubs. I'm sure there are Aussie clubs and coaches like that but they are a small minority with most clubs being egalitarian - we have much to learn.

Ellis and Westwood were exposed to regular SL rugby at a young age. I'm sure they learnt and developed far more than they would've had their involvement been sporadic whilst in their late teens/early 20's. It's kind of what I was getting at before.

I think it's also fair to say both those players were exceptional mature for their age especially Ellis which IMHO is the main reason they both got blooded early.

Bathurst!!!

No wonder you didn't settle...


To be fair though I was born and brought up on an 'estate'... I played league for the local pub teams, I had mates who went on to bigger and better things with the pro leagues, I alway thought of league as 'my game'. By the time I came to AUS... I was doing ok... I came here for a good job, and when he boys started playing with the local leagues club, I was treated as a rich guy with privileged kids... A concept I really struggled with!

Both boys left that club and are now successful junior rowers...

I adapted

Fair point.

Early developers have a massive advantage in all sports and especially Rugby (of both codes)
There are cliques at every club and it is only when the coaches are impartial that people get a fair crack of the whip.
But, that's life and sometimes you just have to accept these things.
Equally, it's not always the most talented kids that become the "best" players, all sorts of other attributes make great players.

My recollection is hazy but I remember Ellis being described as not the best player of the group but he had the best attitude which ultimately paved the way to be the most successful.