Over 15 premierships, countless representative experience, NRL club experience, modern ideas and coaching techniques and discipline.
This is what the new Armidale Rams coaching group will bring to the club in 2012 as they embark on turning senior Rugby League around in the town.
The group plan on a discipline and hard work approach, overhauling how the club has gone about its business across all grades.
“We want to ensure all grades train together, learn the same structure, have the same rules about training and the same expectations are set right through the club,” said Tim Polson.
“If we are all on the same page and we all understand our goals and priorities then all grades can work together to maximise our chances of being competitive.
“Bringing a group together with a variety of skills and knowledge is important but not just football skills.
“Having Jim Ridley run our pre-season is a massive boost.
“He comes from a League background so a lot of the sessions will have a skills component.
“I do know though that he is looking forward to running his new training principles he has adapted on the players, we also have blokes like Pat Turley and Anthony Postle among others willing to help out wherever they can.
“The main benefit of having so many people willing to help, is it allows the playing coaches time to focus not just on running the sessions but to train and lead by doing the drills”.
When asked about priorities and goals for the year and what he wanted to achieve, Brian Dennison wanted emphasis on a change in the culture.
“We want to change the culture of the club and make it more of a club and more enjoyable for the players,” said Brian Dennison.
“I have been a member of a few clubs now and in the successful ones there has been a strong club culture.
“Next year we don’t want to segregated, but want to have the different grades do as much together as possible.”
When asked about player strength next year Brian was very positive and confident that the team will be very competitive.
“We have been talking to few players that have first grade experience but more importantly success, and they have expressed an interest, so things are looking pretty good.
“The club already has some loyal talented players who have served the club well over the past few years and they will hopefully thrive with some more experience and leaders around them which they haven’t necessarily had in the past.
“A lot of the potential players we have talked to have said that they will play if the side will be competitive, well, if they play we will be more than competitive.
“Our main goal is to be more competitive and to reach the semis, after that it is a whole new ball game.
“The coaching group is used to success and we expect nothing less this year.
“I hope the players will respond to the challenge as well and put in all the hard work necessary to achieve our goals. We are also looking at playing in the Forster 7s in February to start the year off”.
Jim Cusack has been appointed reserve grade coach. He is looking forward to a positive year and working together with the coaching group. Jim encourages and welcomes new faces to come to the BBQ on Friday.
Clarrie Moran is excited about the challenge ahead and working with the younger players of the club but is also willing to impart his experience and help lead the side.
“The Rams have had great success in the under 18s since the club formed and I want to continue that with next year’s 18s but it is also important that we help those that are now in senior grades develop their game more,” said Clarrie Moran.
“I think it is important that we make a club culture first.
“We want to have more social events like a reconciliation golf day for the club’s players, make sure we have a few BBQs and things and Tim has even suggested we have a day at Echidna Gully in the pre-season so we can bond and get to know each other.”
The club will hold a free a Christmas BBQ on Friday December 16, at 5pm. It’s on at this time to allow people to attend for a short while before they head off to other Christmas parties on the night. The coaching group encourages all players and potential players and supporters to attend even for a shortwhile to start building the spirit for next year.
Official training will begin February 7, 2012 and more exciting news will follow on this shortly.
Story: Annette Ridley
