John Mitchell to act as Consultant for Lions

[Darren]

Emirates Western Force Head Coach John Mitchell has been granted approval by RugbyWA to undertake a consultancy coaching position at the Lions for the 2010 Currie Cup competition in South Africa.

RugbyWA Chief Executive Officer Vern Reid has worked with Mitchell to develop a schedule which will ensure the coach is able to fulfill his planning duties in the lead-up to the Force pre-season training program.

“John expressed his desire to use his accrued annual leave entitlements to further his coaching expertise and we have allowed him to undertake the role at the Lions with the understanding it will not impact negatively on the Emirates Western Force preparations for 2011,” Mr Reid said.

“The Lions will give John an insight into another rugby program but he has always indicated that the Emirates Western Force is his number one priority and we are confident his impeccable standards in preparing our side will not be adversely affected.”

Mitchell will join the Lions in the coming weeks and return to Australia for several stints throughout the Currie Cup to review the Super 14 preparations of Force players who are participating in rugby competitions in Sydney and Perth.

Lions Director of Coaching, Dick Muir, will be with the Springboks during the 2010 Tri-Nations in his capacity as Backline Coach, and will return to the Lions during the final four to six weeks of the Currie Cup. During his absence Mitchell will head the coaching team and will work closely with Muir during the final weeks of the competition.

Mr Reid also confirmed that Mitchell would spend some time with Japanese club Toshiba in the coming months as part of an arrangement which allowed David Hill to join the Emirates Western Force in 2010 as an injury replacement for Andre Pretorius.

Mitchell will return to Perth in October to guide the Emirates Western Force for a sixth season

[TOCC]

I think this is a silly idea, having a look at the Force roster for 2011 there are still 8 vacant positions in the roster, not including the academy system. One would hope that your coach would be scouting the playing fields for fresh talent and advising exisisting players on how to improve there game..

Unless he intentds to raid the playing pastures of South Africa i dont really see this concept as been beneficial to the Force or Australian Rugby.

[jono]

what he does in his annual leave is his own buisness, i dont see why he needs to be granted approval from rugbywa in order to do this.
they have to approve his leave is all.

he could want time off to sit at the pub....

[BDAVEY]

Hes a professional coach, to restrict what he does outside his dutiues with RWA would be a restriction of trade.

[slomo]

to be fair he could do what ever he wants during his annual leave, realistically he'll only be gone for four weeks.......
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[brokendown gunfighter]

wonder what his wife thinks?

[pieter blackie]

nothing wrong with doing this

[TOCC]

well no, what he does on his personal leave isnt entirely up to him as BDavey has pointed out, same as a player been unable to go sign for another club without permission in the off-season a coach cant either, regardless of holidays or not.

By the sounds of it he will be gone a lot longer then 4 weeks, considering the currie cup runs until late October, and he will be leaving in a few weeks for it, he will be gone for almost 2 months.

[Lonzy]

TOCC would you like a chill pill ... I have a few ... I don't need any more ... I'm completely chillaxed

We have been assured he will return, and you never know it may be a benificial experience for him as a coach, which could possible relate back to the Force...

[travelling_gerry]

I reckon this is a great move for Australian Rugby. What S14 coaches can boast experience in all of NZ, Australian and SA rugby methods as well as Europe?

The others can only boast Australian and Europe Rugby coaching.

[sandgroperrugby]

Didn’t he do the same thing with the Sharks as a consultant previously, umm a little dubious as stated we have some areas in our roster that needs seeing to and the assistant coach (who will likely start as head coach after next year) is busy with the Wallabies so who is left over here?

Oh and depending on the employment contract you sign in some cases a business or company can stop you from working for your self (as in consultancy position) or another company unless approval from the original employer is given regardless if it is your annual leave.

[Burgs]

If RWA have no problem then I have no problem.
He is a coach, not a player, so would be faced with an entirely different set of stipulations.
For one he isn't burning up energy coaching or risking performance (and therefore contract) reducing injury.
What he is doing is expanding his knowledge base and giving his wife either a paid for holiday if she goes or a few weeks peace and quiet if she doesn't.
In this modern era of communications I think you can rest assured that he will have his finger on the pulse of how things are going in recruiting the players he has advised his recruitment staff to approach, in priority order and for how much.
Meanwhile the specialist staff will be doing their thing with the players remaining in Perth and he can have some tim eaway to take his mind off things if he wishes, or more likely clear his mind of day to day bullshit of being at HQ and focus on the bigger picture for next year.

[TOCC]

Whatever, doesn't bother me, not my team
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