Season 2023 Update
By Jayson Brewer - Head Coach
A big Happy New Year to all our Rebel Family.
After a 6 week block leading into Christmas we now transition into Pre-Season 1.
This part of the season has been a mix of the traditional “whole of club” training, while incorporating specific grade, colts and physical performance sessions. I have been impressed by the level of buy-in and commitment from the players.
We have drawn a line in the sand in regards to where we want to be as a club and the importance of 2023. Our sessions have had a focus on various targets with integrated open skilling, game based conditioning games, habit skill development and specific unit detail being a priority.
We have a consistent core group of players who have become the standard bearers of our DNA and unified our “All in” mentality.
As I begin to write this report, we have just finished a morning working bee at the club after an integration of club players, staff and board members. Ultimately, it's the players club and in 2023 we have discussed the higher purpose of what the Rebel family is all about. This is driven by our core DNA - we are a hard nosed club, aiming to play a ruthless and relentless style of rugby with the goal to entertain our community, family and friends on game days.
Our Program
Our program has been underpinned by a club philosophy based on 3 key pillars. These pillars underpin all we do as a club and have been developed by our leaders;
Harmony - Club 1st “All In” mentality
Hard Work - is a non negotiable, nothing happens before this
Humility - be the Rebel everyone wants to play with
There has been a large focus on retention of players who fit our DNA, players who add value to the playing group and want to be a part of the future success of the club and drive our DNA. What I have noticed over the last 8 weeks is a group of players and staff who will work hard for each other, and are passionate about our Club and Community.
Make no mistake, we are a long way from where we want to be, however the foundations are being laid both technically and tactically through our game model as well as our off field connections by building a collective leadership shared model within our playing group and staff to provide the opportunity to succeed in 2023.
With every new season we lose quality players and gain quality players. We have been active in recruitment and have focused on three things;
Recruiting for character
Recruiting areas we lack depth or transitioning colts need a year or two to develop
Recruiting for purpose - players who will add value to the club.
It is important to note that we have also had a number of players reach out post covid looking to join or re-join our club.
Forwards
Players who will provide this immediate impact across the club in the forwards and new to the club in 2023 are;
Tupou Sopoaga (Highlanders Super Rugby, Southland NPC, Cook Islands Captain)
Zeke Sopoaga (Southland NPC, Cook Islands)
Archie Hoskings (Exeter Chiefs, UK),
Taisson Lealaisalanoa (Wellington Lions)
Dante Tatafu (Western Force/Australian Schools/Illawarra Junior)
Tyla Murvai (Wales)
Connor Johnson (Leinster)
Alan Fitzgerlad (Munster)
Noah Ironside (Wellington)
Returning players crucial to our season will be Tetra Faulkner (Waratahs), George Gibson (Waratahs), Angus Allen, Phil Potgieter, and club stalwart Jake Douglas all with representative experience who have been leading by example and looking for big seasons.
Backs
In the backs we have identified a need for more x factor and game management was needed throughout the top squad. The following players include;
Isaac Ratumaitavuki Kneepens (Fiji, Auckland Mitre 10, Taranaki NPC),
Corey Reid (Ireland 19s)
Tom Ealman (Exeter UK)
Gavin Wood (Souths QLD, UK Challenge Cup)
Tom Smith (Southland)
We are expecting impact from returning players Will Thomas (Wales 7s), Cooper Hansen (SDRC Colts 21/22), Toka Sopoaga (Cook Islands) and Maui Wallace. Throughout the pre-season staff have also been impressed with the likes of Julian Zissis, Declan Mulcahy, Liam O’Connor, Sam Tabuatamta and the return of Denny Godinet.
Coaching Group
Like the playing group we have freshened up the coaching dynamics with a focus on learning, development and enjoyment for the players. This starts at the top and no better person to be working with as Club Coach is Matt Barr.
The key for us as a group is to provide a learning and development environment for the players while making sure each player enjoys every session, is challenged and ultimately feels welcome.
What has impressed me the most is the energy and excitement amongst our coaches and support staff.
We have made a number of key appointments across the program, we need to coach better in 2023, be across our detail, accountability and enjoyment as a group.
Club Coach: Matt Barr
Top Squad Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Jayson Brewer (Game Strategy, Defence & Contact Skills)
First Grade Assistant: Jordan McGregor (Backs & Skills)
Jordan will take the lead on attack, individual skill development and tactical kicking. Jordan has already had an impact on our playing style and overall philosophy
First Grade Assistant: Jay Tregonning (Forwards Specific & Restarts)
Jay, fresh from coaching the Wallaroos at the World Cup has already started to build on our core DNA around set piece, forwards interplay and restarts.
First Grade Assistant: Dave Zwart (Contact Skills & Analysis)
Dave will have a vital role in developing our speed of ball retention and skills around the contact area of the game as well as game analysis
2nd Grade Head Coach: Chris Storey
2nd Grade Assistant Coach: Jake Holman
Chris and Jake will work within our Top squad program as well as 2nd grade. Taking on forwards/backs/collision and individual specific skills roles. Both Chris and Jake have played for the rebels and will be key drivers of our identity as a group.
Head of Physical Performance: Carl Sledge
Carl Sledge is our Head of Physical Performance and will oversee our whole athlete development pathway working closely with all staff across grade and colts.
Data Analytics & Rehab Coordinator: Jess Hart
Jess looks after our performance metrics and tracks training loads and players return to play. She is also heavily involved in our welfare program.
Club Physio: Mark Edgar
All other coaching and support staff appointments will be announced in the coming weeks.
Upcoming Events
Pre Season Camp 1
Leadership & Connection Focus - NSW South Coast
Trial 1
11th March v Two Blues (Home)
Pre Season Camp 2
Club Camp
Trial 2
25th March v Manly (Away)
Round 1
April 1st - Family & Community Day Vs Gordon (Home)
Finally, as Head Coach of Southern Districts for the upcoming season I can assure you we have been working very hard as a collective to start 2023. I encourage you come to our club trainings (Tuesday/Thursdays form 6:15pm) to say hello, mix with the group and even help out.
Regards
Head Coach - Jayson Brewer
#BeTheRebel
#RebelRise23
