Smith lightens up
Posted by Phil Sim on 31/01/2005
Eels coach Brian Smith has worked hard to make Parramatta’s training sessions more relaxed and enjoyable, according to star second rower Nathan Hindmarsh.
Under Smith, the Eels have a reputation as a very, disciplined outfit who adhere to a very strict and structured training regime.
“There is that out there that people think everything is 100 per cent serious with Smithy and that he’s a very intense coach, but the players know when we can have some fun and when it’s time to switch on and get serious.
“Smithy’s worked hard to turn training around and you can see that by the way everyone is smiling at training”.
Hooker Mark Riddell has a reputation as being one of the game’s larrikins and that had led some to suggest he would struggle to fit in with the more disciplined Parramatta culture. However, Riddell also denied there were any issues, in that regard.
“It’s been fine and I’ve had no problems at all,” Riddell said.
“Parramatta a very professional club, the professionalism here far outweighs that of the Dragons and I’m enjoying myself and I’m enjoying training”.
“It’s just a really happy camp at the moment and everyone seems to be pushing in the same direction”.
Hindmarsh said he believed most of the new faces were enjoying the move to Parramatta.
“That’s what’s so good about Parra, every fits in very quickly,” Hindmarsh said. ”We like to have a bit of fun and a bit of a smile at training.”
It is believed the arrival of new assistant coach Peter Sharp has also contributed to the positive training environment. Sharp, a former NRL coach with Manly has a reputation as being well-liked among the player fraternity and it was clear to onlookers at the recent open training session that he has already developed an excellent rapport with the Eels players, some of whom he would previously have been involved with during his prior stint at Parramatta.
http://www.prwire.com.au/tippo.nsf/artwebfro/DD3CEC9A13474B254A256F990075061F?editdocument
