35 years of service

The strength of any sporting organisation depends upon the quality of its people. In 2019 the College approaches the season with a Committee stacked full of capable and motivated members; the players are displaying unbounded enthusiasm towards their preparation and the roster of coaches is as good as it has been in a long time.  One of those coaches, Brian "Baz" Dunne, spoke to Mark Ealey about his involvement in St. Bede's Rugby. Baz started teaching at St. Bede's 36 years ago, in 1983, and now teaches maths and RE.

Mark: "Baz, when did it all start? Tell us about your rugby here at St. Bede's as a player."

Baz: "I was born and raised in Christchurch and attended St. Bede's from 1971 to 1975. I played in the 1st XV in 1975 as a hooker after a few games in my sixth form year in 1974. Gary Lennon was our coach, and we were a reasonable team, finishing about mid-table."

Mark: "What has changed in St. Bede's rugby since the early eighties?"

Baz: "The approach for the top teams has become a lot more professional. The practice methods now place greater emphasis on preparing the players to perform. The focus is now far greater on the detail of enhancing performance, whereas it used to be more on how to motivate players to give their all. 

The team numbers within St. Bede's are much the same. Maybe we operate one team fewer these days. There is also far more parent involvement than there used to be in the past."

Mark: "What hasn't changed?"

Baz: "The boys' enthusiasm is unchanged. The support they get is still marvellous and the spirit within St. Bede's rugby is still as good as I've known in the past."

Mark: "Please describe a typical Bedean player."

Baz: "He's fit, prepared to work hard on his skills and is prepared to listen. He's a team player, is respectful, grateful and resilient."

Mark: "Who stands out among the players you've coached or have seen play at St. Bede's?"

Baz: "There are so many. Johnny Leo'o was just outstanding - a dynamic player. Jon Preston was right up there too.  And of course we have had some other top quality loose forwards go through our ranks - the likes of Elliot Dixon, James Lentjes, Billy Harmon and Jonathon Poff. We have produced many really talented players.  Maybe the number of top quality loose forwards is a reflection of the qualities of Bedean players  I mentioned before."

Baz:" I look forward to my involvement every year and really enjoy supporting the 1st XV. In recent years I've found my niche coaching the 3rd XV. It's always a very enjoyable group of people involved in this team."

St. Bede's College is indeed fortunate to have hugely experienced and well-liked coaches like Baz among its ranks. In the weeks ahead we will interview some of these gentlemen in order to introduce them properly to the St. Bede's rugby community.