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The Case of the Modest Coach 

By David Pine

logoAt a time when the Hurricanes Super Rugby team was having its most successful season ever, with 10 wins, one loss, and sitting 14 points clear at the top of the table, Head Coach Chris Boyd could be forgiven for showing pride in his achievements. But in a frank and open presentation to Plimmerton Rotary on 12 May, Mr Boyd was full of praise for his team, giving them all the credit for their outstanding performance to date.

Originally from Tawa, Mr Boyd had in his earlier years coached the Tawa College First Fifteen as well as the Tawa Rugby Club first team, after which he became head coach of the Wellington Lions second team. He then became assistant coach of the Lions first team and is currently head coach of this team. He has also been coach of NZ’s under 20 squad, as well as assistant coach of the Sharks in South Africa. He took up his appointment with the Hurricanes for the 2015 season.

Mr Boyd explained that the Hurricanes consisted of a squad of 38 contracted players, earning between $40,000 and $190,000. Support staff numbered some 40 people, including coaches, trainers, physiotherapists, a doctor, analysts, and a high performance manager.chris boyd

The squad always had a busy week, with game day on Saturday, recovery on Sunday, and training on all of the other days except Wednesday which was their day off. “During our work days we include sessions on different skills such as dealing with the news media, how to effectively manage their substantial earnings, and we also have a professional development manager who teaches our players how to prepare for the time when their rugby career will be over.”

On the field, players were encouraged to have trust in one another. “If they have mutual trust, then they will enjoy their game more, get good results, and gain a lot of satisfaction from their work. We encourage them to be the best they can be. We emphasise that they are the only ones who can control their own performance.”

One major challenge as a coach was to look after those members of the squad who would probably not play for the entire season. “We have a small number in the squad whose job it is to support the other players. We explain to them that although they are full members of the squad, they are unlikely to see any game time this year. Their time will come next year or the year after, as long as they demonstrate willingness, commitment, and hard work.”

Asked to explain the extraordinary success of the Hurricanes in the current season, Mr Boyd felt that in the past, a united focus had been missing from the Hurricanes. “We have the athletes and we have the training. Now we have that united focus as well, plus a high level of mutual trust and belief. There is substantial enthusiasm and confidence there now.”

Snippets

life ed donationLife Education Trust   
Bob Shennan  (Johnsonville Rotary), Becs (retiring educator) and Kapa (new educator) of Wellington North branch of Life Education Trust attended the Club meeting to receive a cheque from funds raised at the annual Book Fair in March.

GiveaLittle
GiveaLittle logoAs President-elect Adrienne mentioned last night, the GiveaLittle process is now complete, thanks to Philip Reidy's invaluable hard work and persistence over many months. Check out our Home page and also the Home page of Te Ara Piko. Now is the time to tell all your friends, business colleagues, acquaintances, clubs and societies that there's an easy way for them to donate. The logo is linked so you can try it out right here!

Potting Plants at the Nursery
PlantingPeter Jackson needs some help potting plants from 10.00-12.00 pm on Thursday 28 May. 250 plants need to be repotted and he'd gratefully accept support from all club members who could spare some time to help. Please contact Peter if you can help.

Committee night
AngusNext week is Committee night (referred to in the Programme as 'Planning Group Meetings' to make it more attractive for visitors to the site). We're in for a treat as Angus will be talking to us about his recent visit to Gallipoli.

Programme
DebateYou'll notice that the Programme now includes the dates for the Inner Wheel Changeover and the Great Zonta-Rotary Celebrity Debate. You'll be hearing more about this shortly so keep the date of 14 June free. It's time to start inviting your friends and directing them here for details.

Did you know this?

 waterHere's some advice from a doctor. Gravity holds water in the lower part of your body when you are upright (legs swell). When you lie down and your lower body is level with your kidneys, it is then that the kidneys remove the water because it is easier. Drinking water at a certain time of day maximises its effectiveness on the body. Water at bedtime will also help to prevent night time leg cramps. Your leg muscles are seeking hydration when they cramp and wake you up. So, it's good to drink:

  • 2 glasses of water after waking up because it helps activate your internal organs
  • 1 glass of water 30 minutes before a meal because it helps digestion
  • 1 glass of water before taking a bath because it helps lower blood pressure, and 
  • 1 glass of water before going to bed because it helps avoid stroke or heart attack

 

The Case of the Modest Coach

 
 
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