Sorry - probably should have posted the whole thing with a link....
St George Illawarra Dragons announce the key outcomes of the Rugby League review which was commissioned by the Board of Directors, following what was a very disappointing season in 2013, on Tuesday.
The extensive and comprehensive review involved both internal analysis and external evaluation of high performance programs and pathways, including recruitment systems and sports science management.
The Dragons Board met last week to make determinations on detailed information and arising from decisions made, they are confident that a marked improvement will be evident in 2014; with all 2014 staff left with no uncertain terms as to the depth of the improvements required as a result of missing the Finals Series for the past two seasons.
The review identified a number of ways to create opportunities for improvement through changes in the structure of the rugby league programs, accountabilities of individuals and specific plans to improve consistency. All areas were reviewed in a context of high performance systems and sports excellence.
The Board determined that it was not appropriate to hold Head Coach Steve Price singularly responsible for the Club's rugby league performance and outcomes, in 2013.
The review identified the contributing factors to the outcomes for season 2013 as:
- depth of the playing roster in key positions
- experience of the roster
- leadership within the playing group
- injuries were up 25% from 2012 with 198 individual games missed. Key players such as Stanley, Beale, Cooper, Hunt and in the later part of the year Merrin and Dugan were on that list
- Attacking structures
- Physical training methods
- Specialist skills
Price will remain Head Coach for next season with changes in his Coaching Team, a significant change in the playing roster and a clear framework with which to work. The framework and plan for 2014 has been developed in conjunction with identified expertise from the High Performance Sports and Excellence Department at the New South Wales Institute of Sport, designed to contribute to creating sustainable high performance, across the Club.
The Board considered all aspects and commercial considerations of a number of Coaching options and determined to appoint St George Illawarra's inaugural Co-Captain Paul McGregor as NRL Assistant Coach. McGregor will have a key focus and accountability for the teams attacking structures and specific targets have been identified.
McGregor was previously a part of the Club?s Coaching Staff in Strength and Conditioning role and has experienced success coaching in the Illawarra League and was the inaugural Coach of the Illawarra Cutters, a task undertaken in conjunction with successfully developing and managing his own Business interests.
McGregor has also been consistently involved in representative coaching with NSW Country and NSW State of Origin, over the past seven years.
For 2014 the system of Management of Recruitment will be re?engineered with the responsibility for Pathways and Development transferring to Executive Manager of Football, Robert Finch, with support from High Performance Unit Head Coach, Ben Haran, in the role of Recruitment Manager.
Former Director of the High Performance Unit and Recruitment, Craig Young, will move into a full-time Assistant Coaching role with a specific focus on forwards and their development, a role he has previously undertaken very successfully on a part-time basis. Craig?s accountabilities will also include interfacing with the NSW Cup Team?s activities, given the number of NRL contracted players redeployed each week.
Roles and staff involved in the National Youth Competition will move from part-time to full-time with former Club Captain Ben Hornby and utility player Dean Young being appointed as Co-Coaches for the NYC team. Both will also have key accountabilities around Junior Development within the High Performance Unit, continued roles in the re-engineered recruitment processes and they will also oversee the Club's Junior Representative Squads, in line with the Club's overall high performance plan.
A range of other specialist coaches will also be a part of the Dragons 2014 Coaching Staff, on a contract basis.
With 198 games lost through injury, the Sports Science Department in 2014 has been realigned to certain key priorities with additional staff and equipment along with improved software and technology.
Comments from Key Personnel
CEO - Peter Doust
"Everyone at the Dragons is bitterly disappointed in the 2013 season and our Members, Partners and fans can be assured that there has been a very honest, direct and comprehensive review of all aspects of our Football Performance," said Dragons CEO Peter Doust.
"The result of 2013 and the significant changes to our playing squad for next season determined the need to really strip back and assess all aspects of our Football Program and redefine our strategies and direction.
"I would like to note that the final decision on staffing for season 2014 only, was made by the Board in the week ending September 27 after detailed review of all the available coaching options and relevant requirements.
?We have re-engineered our recruitment management system and refined our plans and processes to ensure we continue to meet the expectations of our region, our roster and the recruitment market.
"A revised high performance plan with a clear framework, systems and processes and individual accountabilities is currently being developed ahead of next season.
Head Coach - Steve Price
"As Head Coach of this proud Club I recognise that season 2013 was not good enough. The standards and outcomes were not up to the requirements and expectations of everyone associated with the Dragons.
?Everyone has been challenged, individual staff and players, in the search for answers and improvements.
"We suffered a lot with injuries in 2013, our players missed a total of 198 games which challenged our depth, especially in key positions.
?The loss of experience and leadership in the last two years had a significant impact in both the training and game environment.
?Our attack and the decision making of our play makers did not deliver enough points.
?We will also be looking to refine our methods of physical training in the off-season as well as using the contributions of specialist coaches.
"We have identified a number of key areas for improvement and with changes to staff and playing personnel we will be able to closely focus on improving the systems, methods and accountabilities to ensure improved outcomes in 2014.
"I will really appreciate the opportunity to critically evaluate the way other sports go about high performance through the input of the NSWIS?.
"I certainly feel that 2014 will be the first season when I have been able to influence the roster. 2014 will be the biggest turnover of players that this Club has had for many years and we will be able to focus on developing team culture and leadership for this new group, along with a style of play relevant to their skills.
"There is no doubt, with the new playing and coaching personnel we will be able to vary our playing style and I am really looking forward to having Paul McGregor as Assistant Coach next season. Paul has always been a keen student of the game. He has great knowledge and experience combined with an extremely competitive nature and the desire to win. I know he will be extremely valuable to everyone, coaches and players alike.
Assistant Coach - Paul McGregor
"I bleed red and white and it really hurt me to watch what happened over the course of the 2013 season. It was disappointing and frustrating and I believe that I can add value and help improve our performances and results.
"I am really excited about being back involved with the Club and with rugby league in a full-time capacity. There is a massive difference between part-time coaching and full-time work for both me as a Coach and for players as has been the case for me and my players in the NSW Cup and local Illawarra League over the past few years.
"I feel like I have learned a lot since my last stint on the Dragons full-time Coaching Staff where I had a Strength and Conditioning role. I have been fortunate to have experienced success with Wests Illawarra locally, overseen the introduction of the Illawarra Cutters in the NSW Cup and I have been a part of the NSW State of Origin and Country representative teams.
"But it isn't just rugby league that has helped me develop, away from league I have successfully developed my own Business interests where I have managed 25 staff and there have certainly been plenty of lessons and leanings along this road.
"I am especially excited about taking accountability for the attack for next season, there is a lot of work to be done and that is a challenge that I am very much looking forward to taking on.
Executive Manager Football - Robert Finch
?Heading into my third year at the Dragons I am ready to contribute more, by taking responsibility for a restructured recruitment and rugby league pathways management system.
?I have a great deal of experience in managing recruitment processes as this was a role I undertook in the past at a number of rugby league clubs.
http://www.dragons.com.au/news-display/Dragons-Restructure-For-2014/85360
At least we are getting feedback and are getting each persons point of view. I see that as a positive thing.
EDIT - tried to break up the wall of text.....
But what I bolded above scares the shit outa me. It seems like we are fast tracking one of these guys for 1st grade coach for 2015... With the club struggling with money issues, they may well go for a cheap option in Hornby/Young if Price does indeed fail in 2014. By the sky wizard I hope not...
