Incoming Randwick Head Coach Wade Kelly.

by Brendan Bradford –

With just four wins from 16 games and a lowly 10th place finish on the table, the 2012 Shute Shield season can only be described as a disappointment for Randwick. Incoming first-grade coach, Wade Kelly freely admits this but the die-hard Galloping Green has the plan, the players and the expertise to take the world’s most famous rugby club back to the winner’s circle in his debut season. Just as important though, Kelly and others are using their resources, connections and brainpower to create something that will last long after they are gone.

“Once you come to Randwick, you stay with Randwick for life” says Kelly who wore the Myrtle Green as a player and coached Colts before his latest role as head coach. His allegiance was forged on the training field, in the gym and on the hallowed turf of Coogee Oval; a 13-year professional career testament to the benefits of loyalty and hard work. But these days, with the feeling that the club was living off the past deeds of the Ella’s, Campese and Poidevin and knowing that for most players Club Rugby is a stepping stone to higher honours, loyalty isn’t a certainty.

Especially – as will be the case for Randwick in 2013 – when not a single player is paid a cent.

What they aren’t offering in terms of financial remuneration, Randwick makes up for in opportunities – or as Kelly puts it, “pathways”.

This was highlighted perfectly in a recent joint-Randwick and Waratahs event.

Young Galloping Greens forward Peter Samu has been training with the Waratahs

As the public watched from the promenade at Coogee Beach last Saturday, members of the Waratahs joined in on skill-sessions with Randwick Juniors, Academy, Colts and Grade players (a welcome relief from the gruelling pre-season hill sprints Randwick seniors had been undertaking) before the whole group had a BBQ under the Randwick tent.

The beachside session was about more than just getting to meet the Waratahs and have a free BBQ though. With stiff competition from Souths Juniors – who can offer youngsters far more than any Sydney rugby club can – Randwick must use other means of recruiting and maintaining young talent.

“The pathway was there for all to see” said Kelly.

“Those youngsters can actually see the progression from juniors to Academy to Colts to Grade and finally onto the Waratahs and Super Rugby. That’s what we’re offering and big thanks to ‘Cheik’ for bringing the boys down.”

Developing and retaining young players is the long-term goal and the Randwick Academy is progressing rapidly, but Kelly’s pathways are already bearing fruit in the senior ranks. Despite a poor 2012 season and declining to pay players, numbers at pre-season training have swelled (see below for a list of incoming Randwick players).

Former Penrith front rower Richard Aho is a new acquisition for Randwick.

“All have ambitions of playing pro-footy, which is exactly what we want” said Kelly of the newcomers, some of whom have already attracted the attention of the Waratahs and others.

“I haven’t actively recruited anyone, they’ve all come to us for the opportunity and what we’re offering.”

In addition to better marketing of merchandise and clear-cut plans to form closer and more effective ties with sponsors, Kelly intends to draw big crowds back to Coogee Oval with the type of entertaining, running rugby he has employed over the past two seasons as head-coach of Scots College 1st XV – a side he maintains close links to and hopes to use as a source of recruitment.

Rugby News witnessed first-hand the change in attitude and dedication within the playing squad at a recent training session at Latham Park. Even on a sweltering Sydney afternoon, all players were enthusiastic, on time and keen to improve while several Sevens players even got in some extra fitness drills an hour before practise was scheduled to start.

The positive feeling at the club comes from communication and trust – two things Wade Kelly, his coaching staff and the board have in spades. With high levels of talent and motivation in the squad and the expertise to get the most out its players, there is little doubt that 2013 will be the year of the Randwick rejuvenation.

New Randwick players for 2013:

Toa Asa – Penrith loosehead

Richard Aho – Penrith Tighthead

Junior Tavilli – Penrith Blindside

Harry Boileau – Easts, Scots College

David Horwitz – Scots College

Brogan Roods – Sydney Uni

Sam Latu – Newtown Rugby League

Toese Vousiutu – Easts