21 September 2016 Second Members evening

[jono]

I'm very curious as to what the other areas could have been.

Non playing related support staff. Perhaps removing some people and combining positions in an admin structure.
You don't jeopardise your USP - so the players & the ability to win games by being properly prepared

[westies man]

[*]Improve the skill base so that the players can play the game that they want to play. Coaches job[*]The need to be much fitter than in the past. Coaches job[*]The need for the right group of people to support the players.Coaches job

1. FITNESS – Expenditure on Strength and Conditioning.Players aregiven position specific and tailored to individual requirement programs, coaches job to make sure these are completed.
2. SKILLS – Expenditure on Team Consultants.Coaches job.
3. FITNESS/RECOVERY – Expenditure on Team Medical and Team Physiotherapy.They had plenty of these, whether they were the right ones well that remains to be seen.

A bit has been made about the 50 percent spending cutback in the above so I have a few questions. Did someone sneak in and steal 50 percent of the barbells from the gym, did someone sneak in and steal 50 percent of the hit shields and tackle bags from the gear shed, did someone sneak in and steal 50 percent of the training track.
Stonefish came up with this idea to be the least physically trained team in the Super competition, he alone made this call so to now start blaming expenditure cutback in this area is a bit rich.
Does anyone know if last seasons strength and conditioning guru's survived the bullet because if they did they bloody well shouldn't have.

[andrewg]

Stonefish came up with this idea to be the least physically trained team in the Super competition, he alone made this call so to now start blaming expenditure cutback in this area is a bit rich.

I'm not big on hypotheticals so are you aware that Michael Foley actually did make this call?
I find it very difficult that this could be part of any coach's recipe for success.

By my own observation during the pre-season, while sitting in the shade at McGillivray, I can confirm that the playing group was working hard on the training track. I don't know about the gym etc.

I think that the problems come from maintaining the level of fitness during the season due to the travel schedule and spending so much time away from home base (with facilities not at the same standard).
Bloody hard to keep fit when sitting on planes, buses or waiting rooms!
I don't know exactly when the group travel but I would be surprised if following recovery there was more than a single training day + Captains run between some/many games.

If there were cuts in such things as accom. and access to good gyms etc I would think that that would directly impact on fitness and preparation.

There were also a number of long term injuries to the 1st XV & XXIII (Cowan, Coleman, Hodgson, Lance, Burton, Cottrell, Faulkner, Charles, Tessmann, Alcock, Prior etc) which put a lot of the playing burden on FF and EPS players. McCalman missed out on the pre-season missing 3 weeks and than taking 4 weeks to catch up with the rest of the squad. We often lost momentum when the bench players came on the park.

Not excuses - just trying to be realistic and understanding the challenges.

The reductions in expenditure in the key areas as highlighted are real and obvious and very substantial.

Does anyone know if last seasons strength and conditioning guru's survived the bullet because if they did they bloody well shouldn't have.

I haven't seen Charlie (?) the S&C guy since end of season and heard a rumour that he was now working with a club in the UK or elsewhere.

[shasta]

A bit has been made about the 50 percent spending cutback in the above so I have a few questions. Did someone sneak in and steal 50 percent of the barbells from the gym, did someone sneak in and steal 50 percent of the hit shields and tackle bags from the gear shed, did someone sneak in and steal 50 percent of the training track.
Stonefish came up with this idea to be the least physically trained team in the Super competition, he alone made this call so to now start blaming expenditure cutback in this area is a bit rich.
Does anyone know if last seasons strength and conditioning guru's survived the bullet because if they did they bloody well shouldn't have.

Fair point, given I'd guess you have more knowledge of that stuff in the modern game than old farts like me, with distant memories of a very ordinary playing career...... X number of laps, x number of sprints (No bloody stretching), half hour ball work/scrummaging. Game of touch, shower, then of to the club for half a dozen schooners of Resch's.

So what do you reckon the effect of that 50% cut would be on other franchises?

[westies man]

[QUOTE=andrewg;417900]I'm not big on hypotheticals so are you aware that Michael Foley actually did make this call?
I find it very difficult that this could be part of any coach's recipe for success.
He was head coach, it was the road they went down so right or wrong he was responsible for the call that was made.

[andrewg]

[QUOTE=westies man;417903]

I'm not big on hypotheticals so are you aware that Michael Foley actually did make this call?
I find it very difficult that this could be part of any coach's recipe for success.
He was head coach, it was the road they went down so right or wrong he was responsible for the call that was made.

From the numbers it's become very clear that Foley didn't have control the purse-strings related to the Professional Rugby program.

Foley always gave me the impression that he's 'old school' in that he'd try and make the best of whatever cards he was dealt.
He wasn't one to roll out excuses at post-game press conferences.

[fulvio sammut]

I believe RugbyWA have organised a police raid of West's gear shed.

They're looking for everything except for fifty percent of their running track.

They also hope to locate a large number of Force players believed to be hidden there.

[shasta]

I believe RugbyWA have organised a police raid of West's gear shed.

They're looking for everything except for fifty percent of their running track.

They also hope to locate a large number of Force players believed to be hidden there.

I thought you were providing the boat. Not the bait.

[fulvio sammut]

Andrewg is private messaging as I type..

Hansie's on to the poor bugger.

[andrewg]

Andrewg is private messaging as I type..

Hansie's on to the poor bugger.

It wasn't me - honest!

Havagudlongweekend twfers.

[Alison]

Yes, Charlie Higgins has gone to Leinster. Think he might find the Irish weather a bit of a shock to the system!

[Tonkar]

Thanks Andrewg for asking the ?? many want answer to .. I am with you on the subject of the members and WA rugby community buying back the licence from ARU... It would be a huge step but possible unless we on the chopping block ( I hope not )

[andrewg]

Yet during this time our CEO had 2 PA's?

Bit tough. Fairly sure that Mark had 2 part-time PA's sharing the one job.
Have always found both of them very helpful.