An interview with our 1st XV head coach

Dwayne coached rugby from 1997 to 2017, being involved in teams from Under 7 to Division 1. He has won six Division 1 titles, including back-to-back wins with the Christchurch FC Division 1 side in 2009 and 2010, as well as a 1st XV title. He has coached a number of Canterbury teams from Under 20 to Canterbury B and a couple of national representative sides.

What do you think participation in rugby offers to young people?

"Team sport offers young people an opportunity to be connected to a common cause and this creates purpose and a clear sense of responsibility. It also allows young people to experience the highs and lows of the competitive life we live as adults."

What motivates you to want to coach at 1st XV level rather than senior club level?

"I have been very lucky to have enjoyed great success coaching at a senior level but coaching at 1st XV level allows me to be able to expose the younger players to the level of rugby they will experience as adults. I hope that through exposure to technical, structure and mind development coaching the boys can leave the school with a educated desire to take their rugby skills and achieve higher honours that would be in a professional environment. 1st XV is also a great level of rugby that as a coach ensures you need to be well planned and focused towards success week on week."

What have been your highlights coaching at St. Bede’s?

"- This is now my fourth year coaching the 1st XV at St Bede’s and every year has been different but enjoyable. There are many highlights especially watching the development of players and their growth as young men. On the field five highlights stand out for me.

- Watching the support from all the school at the games and the passion of the BRA as their mates try and win the games for their school.

- Our Championship win in 2015 especially the moment the school ran onto the field at the end of the game.

- The St. Peter’s game last year when the school did the Haka behind the players at the start of the game and as we were able to beat the national champions.

- The loss in the semi-final last year as I was so proud how far the team had come and the style of rugby we were playing.

- Our win last week against Nelson. Our young men believed in the process and themselves to succeed."

How did you think you have developed as a coach in the last decade?

"- As a coach you must be willing to listen, learn and implement and as the game is ever evolving I believe I have continued to grow in this space.

- The use of VARK learning for the boys is important in our coaching.

- Being able to coach with good coaches who have assisted in my growth.

- Willing to try new things to develop the game.

- Staying "in the Blue" more"

( VARK learning identifies four primary types of learners: visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic. Each learning type responds best to a different method of teaching.)

Ian Mallard: "Dwayne has a huge work ethic. His attention to detail and meticulous planning is well-known. He is able to see the “big picture” alongside identifying key micro-skills. Dwayne has a great ability to connect with players and have some fun as well as deliver the serious side of rugby training."

Nick Martin: "DP and I go way back to Ashburton Celtic 1999 when he and his dad Greg coached me! We won 3 consecutive Watters Cups.Then he coached me again at ChCh Football Club (with now All Black coach Brad Mooar) when we went back-to-back Div 1 championships in 2009 & 2010.Now I find myself coaching with him! There are very, very few people who have given so much to the game and SBC is incredibly lucky to have him driving the programme. It was an easy ‘Yes’ when asked to help out."

Sars Flood: "Dwayne is an intelligent rugby coach with a good eye for the details of the game. He brings a lot of energy and enjoyment to trainings and I have learnt a lot from him over the past two seasons."