My 2000th post "Special"!
John the Baptist:
So, the inaugural season has come and gone for the Western Force in the Super 14.
On paper the gross result has been a win, two draws and ten losses, a long season by most standards!
However, at this end of financial year period, what has been the net result here?
When you look past the scorebook, what can be found as a return on investment for Western Australia and the Australian Rugby Union?
Firstly, despite some persistent doomsayers to the contrary, Rugby Union at the Professional level is here to stay in WA.
In the Western Forces short history RugbyWA has developed an International standard Rugby franchise; they have strengthened the playing depth of the local Club competition; seen the massive continued increase of playing registrations and provided Development Officers to match and; RWA have developed a player development pathway from Juniors and Schoolboys through an Academy system, Clubs and Australian Rugby Shield selection right through to the possibility of selection as an Apprentice or fully professional contracted player with the Western Force. This will ensure that Western Australia’s most promising Rugby players are not lost to the code for want of opportunity within our home state.
Secondly, with the advent of Professional Rugby in Western Australia there can now be genuine discussion of a truly national Australian Provincial Championship, which is set to evolve into an extended Provincial Competition and then ultimately a National Club Competition as the sports leaders deem to be the appropriate time in the future.
Five years ago you would have been laughed out of the room if you suggested that in 2007, not only was Western Australia going to have a Super 14 team but, we would have a National Comp running representing the Rugby population in Australia with an eight team competition!
However, the single greatest asset that has been “purchased” for Rugby in Western Australia has been the arrival of one John Mitchell, or “John the Baptist” as some of us are starting to call him!
This individual, with his calm manner and new found press savvy, has given us the ability to believe in ourselves as a Rugby heartland. He has known what to say and when to say it, not to get our hopes up but with realistic appraisal given us belief in our sport and the direction our top team is going and the long road ahead for those that will walk with him. This should not be undervalued in anyone’s eyes. A professional man with a three year plan who already has stated he wants to stay longer, to stay the course.
A Coach puts teams on the park every week however, a great Coach does far more than that.
A great Coach develops his individuals to be the best they can be and has an eye to bring the best out of an individual where others have only scratched the surface.
At the start of the ’06 Super 14 Season we had a hand full of top players (Sharpe, Cannon, Fava, Henjak, Staniforth, Fitter and Welborn in his last hurrah) and a few lesser known fringe S12 players (MacKay, O’Young, Hardy, Pelesasa, Vedelago, Pusey and maybe just Shepherd), the rest were virtual unknowns to all but the most devoted Club Rugby supporter.
Then throw into the mix an injury toll on those better players (MacKay, Vedelago, Pelesasa and then Cannon plus Sharpe mid season), lesser men may have gone and found a comfy corner to hide in!
However, our “Baptist” just kept putting faith in his young replacement players.
Thirty two of our squad played during the thirteen match season, twenty eight individuals started a match on the paddock and one who didn’t (Te Moana) had eight bench starts!
Not only did he call on all but four of his Senior List but he also “blooded” four of the Apprentices as well with meaningful and responsible match time.
Now, admittedly, as is the way in pro sport, some of these players have moved on however, under Coach Mitchell the following ‘05 virtual unknowns or “has been’s” have raised to far greater prominence on the Australian Rugby landscape:
Richard Brown, Pek Cowan, Scott Daruda, Tim Davidson, Gavin DeBartolo, Luke Doherty, Josh Graham, James Hilgendorf, Matt Hodgson, Digby Ioane, Brock James, Tajhon Mailata, Tai McIsaac, Pat O'Connor, Chris O'Young, David Pusey, Haig Sare, Angus Scott, Cameron Shepherd, Scott Staniforth, David Te Moana.
And it is unarguable that the main reason that our four star recruits for ’07 (Cross, Giteau, Mitchell & Takiari) decided on the Force is directly attributable to the man in charge of the team.
I am looking to 2007 with great excitement, we have a team loaded with young talent, a tremendous supporter base, a world class franchise management and State Development, amazing sponsorship depth and, most importantly, we have one “John the Baptist”, the best Coach in Australia calling the shots!
Roll on ’07 and may the other 13 teams be bracing themselves for the Force MkII!
