NEWPORT BREAKERS

From the Coach...

WHAT A RIDE…

Family isn’t always about blood, it’s the people in life who want you in theirs and you want in yours.

11 months ago I went from possibly taking a year off from coaching to being welcomed into a new rugby family.

It all started with answering a phone call from a club president, some bloke called Jake Osborne, who I’m now proud to call a good mate. He has been absolutely amazing to work along side. Apparently, when he was checking out my credentials I got a reasonable wrap from the Godfather himself, AJ Alan Jones, whom I’ve know for well over 20 years.

We set some goals, made sure we were on the same page and set out to win a club champions and try and pick up a few premierships in the process - what club doesn’t? You’d be mad if you didn’t!

It appears a few things worked out OK. All our teams managed to finish in the top 3, which delivered a club championship. Two sides were minor premiers. All teams played in semi finals for a place in their respective grand finals. Two sides secured a grand final berth and one team won a premiership.

A lot of moving parts and way too many individuals to thanks on a social post, but a collective thank you to all the players, coaches, team managers, game day managers and caterers, ball boys, committee administrators, supporters and sponsors. You all contributed to another fine moment now etched in the history books that nobody can take away.

Despite our 3rd XV being pipped at the post in the final 2 minutes of their grand final, they had a fabulous season playing some exciting rugby and deserve to be congratulated for their consistent effort.

To our 1st XV, an eclectic band of tenacious warriors who were all committed to the cause. It’s been a pleasure helping to guide you through the season and develop a slightly different brand of Breakers’ Rugby. The squad aptly led by two of the toughest warriors I’ve had the pleasure to coach and all of this would not have been possible without them, captain Seb Allen and vice captain Byron Scott. Well played gentlemen.

As a squad, you did it and deserve to bathe in the glory you created. Club Champions, minor premiers and major premiers. To top it off, Sam Groom, our fullback, who unfortunately dislocated his shoulder during the game, won the esteemed Barraclough Medal for the MVP of the year voted on by the referees each week.

It’s important to acknowledge the players whose season was cut short due to injury, but were instrumental in our overall success, Moses Keresi, Connor Bradshaw and Sam Macarthur.

Thanks to Jimmy Allen who looked after all our backs’ play. Thanks to John Glen, our trusty team manager who made sure the sidelines were operational. Thanks to Laura Grace, our sports trainer who used more strapping tape than an Egyptian embalmer to keep the boys on the paddock. It would be remiss of me not to mention Ben Bidencope, our preseason S&C coach who changed the way we dealt with functional strength, movement and fitness. Finally, thanks to my better half and head of my back office operations, Mich Judd who has long supported my passion for the sport we both love.

Enjoy the moment, thanks again to the Newport Breakers Rugby Community and see you at the Blue and White Ball.

Greg Lee