Hats off to our coaching staff
In business, success stems from leadership and talent development. The same applies to a sports team. This year we have been very fortunate to have the coaching team of Leo Crowley, Greg Somerville, Andrew Goodman & Leon MacDonald working with our players.
Goodman leading player development
Tim Perry named for All Blacks northern tour
Tyrel Lomax named in Maori All Blacks
Leon MacDonald has been coaching the team since 2011, firstly as assistant coach with Kieran Keane, and then as head coach from 2016. Leon has terrific credentials having also coached with NZ Under 20’s and the Crusaders. It’s fair to say that Leon’s imprint is all over this current Tasman team and the style of play, ability and commitment of the players is a testament to him.
Two Premiership Final appearances in his two years as Head Coach speaks volumes! Well done Leon.
Leo Crowley came to us this year as assistant coach with an extensive coaching background which began as an assistant with the Taranaki senior representative team from 2010, as the Chiefs' Super Rugby development coach in 2014 and Canada's 2015 Rugby World Cup campaign as attack coach, and then in the assistant's role with the Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby team in 2016.
Leo has a fantastic work ethic, is passionate about rugby coaching, and is a great man to have around the team and work environment.
Andrew Goodman is a Mako legend of course, having played 55 games, many as captain, and was a prolific point scorer. He has transitioned seamlessly into the coaching environment following his return from play stints in Japan and Ireland.
Called into the coaching set up last season, Andrew has a deep understanding of, and rapport with our region’s club players and has done a great job in developing their skills and ability to step up to Mitre 10 Cup level.
Greg Somerville joined the group this year in the capacity of set piece coach. After hanging up his boots he has been a scrum coach with both North Harbour and Hawke's Bay in the NPC then, for the past four years, assisting Japan's Ricoh Black Rams club with their scrummaging.
You can’t make the Final without a good set piece and the team showed against Taranaki that their work with Greg is paying dividends.
Individually they are, of course, different types of men, each with unique personalities and skill sets. But it is as a group that they have gelled in 2017, and given us a team and campaign to be proud of.
Fins Up Gents.
