The New Zealand women’s Sevens team took their first step towards the Olympics by appointing a full-time coach. More competition and specialised training will follow.
It’s about time and hopefully not too late. The NZRFU’s commitment to women’s rugby has been token at best but the days of expectation without resources are over. The English, American, Chinese and Australian women’s programs are well advanced.
The rugby landscape is changing and the Northern Hemisphere are leading the way.
New Zealand will need to get up with play or be left behind.
Is Sean Horan the man for the job?
Horan did a great job with the Bay of Plenty Steamers in the NPC over the last 2 years. He came in at a time of turmoil taking over as coach when Greg Smith resigned suddenly on the eve of the 2010 competition.
Last year the Bay came 4th in the top tier – above Auckland, Wellington and Southland.
But Horan’s contract was not extended because terms could not be agreed.
Rumour has it that Bay of Plenty are making financial cuts across the board and team salaries will not be pared – unfortunate all round.
But what of Horan’s Women’s and Sevens rugby credentials?
Horan’s wife is the physio for the New Zealand women’s rugby team but there is scant detail from there.
He did not have any involvement in the Bay of Plenty Sevens teams nor was he involved in the sevens or women’s programs at his Bay club Mount Maunganui.
And I don’t think he had any experience of either in Wellington before coming to the Bay.
The word around the campfire is that Horan is going to be more of a manager and that specialised coaching will be brought in.
He has experience in that capacity and hopefully the wealth of sevens knowledge that exists in New Zealand rugby circles will be put to good use.
Horan travelled to the National Sevens in Queenstown with mens coach Gordon Teitjens and remained close by throughout. No doubt picking up what he could from the master.
New Zealand women's sevens coach Sean Horan with Gordon Teitjens
There’s an element of ‘Jobs for the boys’ about the New Zealand Women’s Sevens coach appointment
Filed under Commentary {no comments}The New Zealand women’s Sevens team took their first step towards the Olympics by appointing a full-time coach. More competition and specialised training will follow.
It’s about time and hopefully not too late. The NZRFU’s commitment to women’s rugby has been token at best but the days of expectation without resources are over. The English, American, Chinese and Australian women’s programs are well advanced.
The rugby landscape is changing and the Northern Hemisphere are leading the way.
New Zealand will need to get up with play or be left behind.
Is Sean Horan the man for the job?
Horan did a great job with the Bay of Plenty Steamers in the NPC over the last 2 years. He came in at a time of turmoil taking over as coach when Greg Smith resigned suddenly on the eve of the 2010 competition.
Last year the Bay came 4th in the top tier – above Auckland, Wellington and Southland.
But Horan’s contract was not extended because terms could not be agreed.
Rumour has it that Bay of Plenty are making financial cuts across the board and team salaries will not be pared – unfortunate all round.
But what of Horan’s Women’s and Sevens rugby credentials?
Horan’s wife is the physio for the New Zealand women’s rugby team but there is scant detail from there.
He did not have any involvement in the Bay of Plenty Sevens teams nor was he involved in the sevens or women’s programs at his Bay club Mount Maunganui.
And I don’t think he had any experience of either in Wellington before coming to the Bay.
The word around the campfire is that Horan is going to be more of a manager and that specialised coaching will be brought in.
He has experience in that capacity and hopefully the wealth of sevens knowledge that exists in New Zealand rugby circles will be put to good use.
Horan travelled to the National Sevens in Queenstown with mens coach Gordon Teitjens and remained close by throughout. No doubt picking up what he could from the master.
New Zealand women's sevens coach Sean Horan with Gordon Teitjens