Senior President’s Welcome
I can still vividly recall standing atop the hill at The Kennel soaking up the vibe as the sun set on Grand Final Day 2022.
With all the build-up, the coordination, all the effort and work over, I was finally clear to take a few deep breaths and reflect. It was the club’s 50th year and surely one of its best. We ended with 4 teams walking away with some hardware. The Club really put the shine on that day with everyone coming together to host what some called “one of the best Grand Final Days in RugbyWA history”.
Looking out over the pitch that night, I watched as a line of our players began carrying chairs out to halfway. They set up a huge circle for one last shindig as a playing group. It was the last night with Armo and Lofty at the Premier Grade helm. It was the last time we’d see the Centurian Cornell Brothers lace up the boots. Setefano was moving back east. A large core of our Thirsty 3rds would also be heading into retirement after achieving their Premiership dreams. In a way, it was the end of an era.
So, with the clubhouse pumping and the sounds of music and laughter in the air, I had my moment of bliss and remembered; this is what it’s all about. The next day, it was straight back to work.
Sights were set on the 2023 season and there was much to be done. The first order of business was locking in new coaches for our top teams.
For the Divaz, the story couldn’t have been written any more perfectly.
Long-time women’s legend Pareana Taitoko traded her boots for the whistle and stepped up as Head Coach. Supported by faithful Manager Dixie Jones and a strong leadership group, Pare’s challenge for 2023 will be to bring together old school and new players into one cohesive unit.
For our Premier Grade squad, it was time for a refresh.
For the past 5 years, we had enjoyed continuity by promoting from within. Starting with Festa, we revived the club culture and brought back the love. We also started seeing more wins on the board. Then in came Armo, establishing another layer of professionalism and consistency. Wanneroo became a serious contender. Our hopes of a top 4 finish in 2022 were only dashed on the final play of the game against eventual Grand Final winners Wests. Overcoming the heartbreak, the boys played for pride the rest of the season and finished with a win at home against Paly for the Div 2 Premiership.
We asked ourselves one question when we began the coaching search; how do we take it to the next level? Answer: Kolose Feaunati. We had a number of worthy candidates apply for the position, but it was Kolose that had us at hello. It was apparent from the very onset of his interview that he had exactly the experience, the energy, and the vision we were looking for. With the decision made, we handed the reigns over to K and let him loose. He quickly set to work laying out his preseason plans and building his coaching team. He brought on Christian Tedge to lead the forwards and Tim Dalecki as S&C Coach. They hit the ground running and got their first block of preseason underway in November. With a serious focus on conditioning and simplicity of play, Kolose has the boys frothing for action as the season approaches.
Paul Arnold returns to lead the 2Dogs (Reserves) and takes under his wing two former players looking to cut their teeth as coaches. Thys Vermaak steps up to lead the backs after a decade as our Thirsty 3rds’ Fly-half Field General. Centurion Jake Smith will tap into his wealth of set piece knowledge to lead the forwards. In the 3rds, Kim Westwood continues to drink from the fountain of youth as he goes around again as Player/Coach. The Brewdogs (4th grade) will look after themselves as they always do and elect a committee of poets and scholars from within to lead them. Finally, Turongo Watene sets his sights on reviving our Colts squad and solidifying that ever-important bridge between junior and senior rugby.
Check out this year’s Jersey Presentation - the stage is set for inspiring action!
So for this season, it’s down to 11 teams playing a home and away series to determine the top 4.
It will also be a fight for survival as the threat of relegation hangs over the head of every Premier Grade club. RugbyWA has decided to further reduce the competition to 10 teams for the 2024 season based on the average performance across the top 3 grades. While the goal in every grade is always a top-4 finish, there will be that much more pressure to perform and ensure we aren’t anywhere near the relegation conversation.
As always, the overall health of our club and vibrancy of our community remains our top priority.
I am working closely with our Junior President, Andy Bell to ensure our seniors are properly engaged with our juniors. I remind our players regularly that they are role models for the next generation. I am so looking forward to the moments this season when I stand atop the hill and survey the grounds; watching our Roodogs battle it out on the pitch while our Roopups cut up in the end goal. This is what it’s all about!
Click here to read our club chairman’s 2023 welcome.
Bring on 2023!
Josh Yoder
Senior President
Wanneroo Rugby Club