It’s a great honour to be appointed Head Coach of the NSW Wolfpack. I want to outline the plan I have for putting the best team possible on the field in the 2010 Nationals.
We have 5 major goals for the Nationals:
- Assemble the best coaching staff and administrative staff available
- Develop offensive, defensive and special teams schemes that take advantage of the talent available for selection
- Alert players to the requirements for Nationals – and give each a chance to work toward making the squad
- Choose the best squad possible and prep for the Nationals
- Play the highest standard of Wolfpack football we can at the 2010 Nationals.
Already the coaching staff and administrative staff have been assembled and it is a strong one.
The coaches come from throughout the league and have the essential requirements of football expertise and the ability to work together. We’ve already met and started to outline our prep for 2010 and putting together the schemes with the goal of putting you, the players, in the best position possible to succeed.
The major part of our effort will be in making sure the NSW Wolfpack 2010 is A SQUAD MADE UP OF THE BEST PLAYERS AVAILABLE.
Selection will be on merit – not seniority or age. If you are good enough you are old enough. You’ll be assessed on athleticism and football ability. There won’t be any jersey wearers. No development players. No ‘this will be good experience’ players. No guys making it only because ‘he’s been before’. No one on the squad because their main attribute is a deposit and three instalments. The message to you is simple: when we pick who will be representing the State we will be choosing the best football player. I expect competition for these limited places will be fierce.
Here are some facts for you to keep in mind:
The squad will likely number 48 players. We’ll be looking to scout you as players – both live and on film – throughout the season, getting to know your strengths and weaknesses and how you would fit into the offensive and defensive schemes. The goal is that, by the end of the season, we will have a strong ‘depth chart’ of players we want in the squad. Over the next few weeks Wolfpack coaches will speak to each team and to individual players concerning the 2010 Nationals. I also hope to have the chance, by arrangement with your coaches, to speak with you over the coming weeks.
How you can start to get ready
Playing your best football for your team is key. That is the best way to show your skills. But you should also be aware that during the season you can do some extra preparation and physical work to be ready for Wolfpack.
At the conclusion of the NSW season we will be looking to TEST players as an aid in assessing your athleticism. The things we will test – and which you can work on over the next few months – gives you the chance to be in better physical shape when trying out for the squad. We will be looking to test you for SPEED, STAMINA, EXPLOSION, AGILITY and STRENGTH – all the things you need to play football for Wolfpack.
We are telling you now so you can have the chance to get into a program to improve in these areas. Contact Wolfpack via email through the Gridiron NSW site. We can send you an outline of the testing and a suggested program to work these areas and we’ll also look to develop contacts in each team so you can get advice on the program. Getting stronger is one way to increase your chances to play for Wolfpack.
Getting ready for the next step NSW has a fine tradition at the Nationals. The goal is to be stronger for this campaign. Rocco Bosco is running the defense and I’ll be working with John Pongrac to create a high scoring, ball control offense. The tournament will be in Victoria – dates to be confirmed. But start saving NOW. If you want to be considered for this you’d better have some money put aside.
One positive thing about being involved is that the 2010 Nationals will play a major role in selections for the 2011 WORLD CUP in Austria. After the recent success of the Outback tour of the UK – including a win over Great Britain – we’ll be looking to build momentum for that effort.
Let’s get ready
I’ve enjoyed some good successes as a coach over the past decade with Sydney University Lions. I now look forward to working with players from throughout the league at Wolfpack. This is the first opportunity I have had to do representative coaching and things have fallen into place to give me the chance to coach NSW. I’m determined to make this the best NSW team possible for 2010.
Please send any questions to us through the league website. I’m enthusiastic about this opportunity. I hope you are as well.
— Coach Dunne
