UK visit OK for Titans bosses
A 12 day fact finding mission in the UK for the Gold Coast Titans Managing Director Michael Searle and Head Coach John Cartwright has seen the pair return home with a handful of opportunities for the club.
Searle and Cartwright visited a number of the Super League clubs checking out systems, facilities and players.
Starting at Manchester, the home of the Wigan Warriors and later heading to St Helens, Cartwright focussed on the training facilities while Searle looked at the commercial side of each club.
Leedswas last on the list the Rhinos clearly had the best facilities they had seen.
Cartwright said, They were so well run and very modern. I certainly felt they were the best we saw and its something the Titans can aspire towards. They do things a little bit differently over there with their league and union team working in conjunction.
Meetings were also held with David Waite coach of the new French club Les Catalans set to join the Super League competition in 2006.
Spending time with David Waite was sensational because he has been over here for five years setting up everything. We were able to learn a lot from him about setting up our own club. He is very well respected in Australia; we certainly got a lot from our time with him.
Although they returned without having signed any new players Cartwright said he was happy with what they got out of the trip.
Were happy because weve come back with player lists for from most of the clubs. We were able to look at a few players and bring back some DVDs so that we can do our homework before making a move. said Cartwright.
Searle and Cartwright rounded off the trip watching the Kangaroos defeat in the Tri-Nations final.
Good to see they had some success in looking for models of a tight league side. Good work lads!!!
