With Ryan Strudwick moving on, College have had to make changes to their 1st XV coaching structure for 2015.
Kevin Smith – Head of Rugby (was Head Coach)
The Class of 1985 third generation MCOB who played 1st XV fullback alongside the likes of Joel Stransky and Jeremy Thomson during College rugby’s golden decade of the 1980’s will now be responsible for overseeing all the College coaching and structures. Interestingly Kevin’s son Reegan captained College during the 2012 season. The passionate College Old Boy has been heavily involved with the 1st XV over the past couple of seasons as the assistant to Strudwick . Kevin has a wealth of coaching experience. Amongst other things, he’s helped shape the careers of many young players at club level in the province.
Francois Lubbe – 1st XV Head Coach (was Kearsney Head Coach)
Kearsney’s loss is College’s gain. The well-respected young coach is already climbing at KZN provincial age-group level. He was the Head Coach of the KZN Grant Khomo team for 2014 and next year he will be a Craven Week Assistant Coach. He’s also had a stint as a KZN under-18 Sevens coach. Frank, an MCOB from the class of 2000,played 1st XV scrumhalf for the Red, Black, White back in the day.
Ryan Strudwick – Sharks
Everyone is a winner in this situation because Ryan, a Wartburg old boy and former professional rugby lock leaves College after three seasons at the helm to rejoin the Sharks on a fulltime basis with a huge responsibility set to come his way. His exact job spec will only be finalised once Gary Gold takes charge of rugby directing at Kings Park but at the moment Ryan looks set to become the Sharks under 21 coach as well as heading up junior player recruitment. Over the years the Sharks have prided themselves at identifying the right schoolboys and developing them into top senior players using the Sharks Academy but this year they neglected the crucial recruitment aspect of the process to an extent at a time when rivals have upped their game. Over and above these challenges, Ryan has also been appointed as UKZN Impis Head Coach. The goal here is to produce a team capable of gaining promotion to the Varsity Cup proper. It won’t be easy. It’s a massive challenge but if the Impis can overcome this hurdle, one feels the resources will then become available to ensure the team performs well on the Monday night televised rugby stage.
@GreenBlooded: Agreed – but this is the “party line” from Rugby 365…..
“The controversial figure said he has not spoken to the Sharks since and has also not taken on a second term with the university, the UKZN Impi, either.
“I am right out of rugby at the moment,” he said, adding: “I just have my business, where I am the CEO of a packaging machine manufacturing company.”
He is also involved as an analyst with a South African pay-TV network.
“I have turned down a lot,” he said, adding: “I am not prepared to change my career.
“I have done it [coaching] for 20 years, this [Pietermaritzburg] is my home and this is where my wife lives.
“You never say never, because you can always be part of the right group, or the right opportunity comes along. However, I am certainly going to be more careful going into an organisation than I have previously been.””
Seems like his book could be an interesting read… Anyone read it yet?
http://www.rugby365.com/article/63469-sharks-running-out-of-money
@Rugbyman: Ja look my comment about his reputation isn’t a knock of his personality. He might be a great guy and judging by his analysis on SS, he knows what he’s talking about but he has left a few top jobs on less than pleasant terms: NZ All Blacks, Western Force and Lions. He didn’t exactly stick around long at that English Club Sale Sharks or at UKZN as GB mentioned above either.
It’s not all bad though. Kingswood used JM a couple of years ago and the feedback suggested that flying him in for 10+ sessions with their boys was well worth it
@Rugger fan: Don’t buy that at all. He had just started at UKZN then left. Sounds a bit “Jake Whiteish” to me….
@beet: John is a great guy! I think our players struggle to adapt to the NZ way of doing things… They pay alot of attention to the small details and perfecting those details… south african players dont enjoy that… he knows the game well and thats why he is respected…
@beet: yep, met him on a flight to JHB, good bloke. Funny enough Adrian Garvey was on the flight too but didn’t seem to know him…
@Grasshopper: must be to do with his wife being South African and obviously the business opportunity. In spite of his reputation the Saffa public still seem to hold him in high regard. That kind of image is no guarantee of success but has to be good for business.
@Rugger fan: Interesting and commentary. I wonder why he doesn’t head back to NZ?
@GreenBlooded: You asked about John Mitchell.
This from a recent article – but I’m sure there’s more to it.
Mitchell, who currently lives in Pietermaritzburg, also revealed that he has decided not to undertake a second term at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Varsity Shield team, the UKZN Impi. He will instead focus on his business – a packaging machine manufacturing company
@Bwana: I heard a rumour Tim Orchard was going to help out. Wouldn’t be surprised if Strudders keeps an eye cast towards College’s forwards.
@GreenBlooded: Niiiice! Seems to be a great asset of a man.
@Playa: He is also a more than useful Waterpolo coach – a commodity that College will welcome with open arms. There are some good coaches at College – just not enough of them – and the aquatics side is slowly finding itself after the departure of Steve La Marque. Look forward to him making a contribution in that area too.
I had no idea that Francois Lubbe was actually my age. I thought he was a middle aged ‘ballie’ to quote a Natal term
That is a remarkable CV for someone so young. Another Skonk in the making, perhaps? Or will we see him achieving great professional honours in the years to come?
Interesting to see that both coaches are backline players and coaches. I wonder who is the forwards coach?
Damn, we’re going to miss Frank, but it’s a great opportunity for him to coach where his heart lies.
“Over and above these challenges, Ryan has also been appointed as UKZN Impis Head Coach.”
What happened to John Mitchell?
Good luck to all concerned. College will thrive under Kevin and Francois.
Ryan has a big task ahead.