New Assistant coach; Joe Barakat

[Tazzmania]

It appears that one of the new assistant coaches will be John Barakat.

He will be joining us after a stint at Ulster.

Ulster have confirmed that their assistant coach, Joe Barakat, will leave the province in December to take up the position of senior assistant coach at the Western Force in his native Australia.

Barakat arrived at Ulster in the summer of 2015 on a two-year contract and he is primarily responsible for defensive strategy and the contact zone.

He previously coached at the Waratahs in Sydney and had a five-year spell in Japan, while he has also held roles with the Australia U21 side and with the Fijian Rugby Union.

Barakat’s final game working with Ulster will be the European Champions Cup Round 4 trip to Clermont Auvergne on Sunday 18 December.

Planet Rugby


Video Clip:

Joe talking about his move to the Western Force from Ulster rugby


Great to see Eddie Jones was a catalyst in the reference for Joe.

Comes across very humble and inspiring in the interview.

Cannot wait to have him on board

[volvo]

Officially now announced by the force.

The Western Force would like to confirm that current Ulster Rugby Assistant Coach, Joe Barakat, will be joining the West Australian club next season.

Barakat has coached at Ulster for the past two seasons and has primarily been responsible for defensive strategy and the contact zone.

He previously coached at the Waratahs in Sydney and had a five-year spell in Japan, while he has also held roles with the Australian U21 side and with the Fijian Rugby Union.

Joe’s final game working with Ulster will be the European Champions Cup Round Four trip to ASM Clermont Auvergne on Sunday, 18th December, before heading home to Australia.



Commenting on his decision, Barakat said that he thoroughly enjoyed his time at Ulster, but is looking forward to the opportunity that the Western Force brings.

“Firstly, I’d like to thank Ulster Rugby, and particularly Les (Kiss), for the opportunity to come here and be involved in such a fantastic organisation. I can’t speak highly enough of the coaching group and the players here at Ulster - there is so much talent and ambition here and that will only lead to positive things in the future.

“My wife and I have been lucky enough to call Belfast home for the past 16 months - it’s a brilliant city and we have made some great friends in that time. So I’d like to thank the wonderful supporters and the wider public for their support since my arrival.

“This opportunity with the Western Force is a chance for me to take on a senior position at a Super Rugby franchise, while also bringing me back closer to my family, having spent a long time away from home.

"Until I leave in December I will be fully committed to the Ulster cause and will do everything in my power to ensure that we are well-placed going into the business end of the season.”

Director of Rugby, Les Kiss, who was instrumental in bringing Barakat to Ulster, said that while Barakat’s leaving is a major loss he wishes him the very best in his future endeavors.

“I have known Joe for a long time and, as expected, he has done a tremendous job for Ulster Rugby since his arrival. He has provided coaches and players alike with a fresh insight and perspective into the game, which has really added value to our rugby program, from the Academy and under-age structures up to the senior squad.

“At the outset, Joe and I had an understanding that we would consider any options that became available to him and I can understand how appealing this role is for a number of reasons. It is an enhanced position within the coaching structure and allows him to return to Australia after seven years away from his family.

“We wish him every success in his new role and we know that in his remaining months with us he will be working hard to help the team be as competitive as possible in both the Guinness PRO12 and European Champions Cup.”



Western Force Head Coach Dave Wessels says he is thrilled to have Barakat on board next year.

“We would like to sincerely thank Ulster for their professionalism in this time,” he said. “I speak for the whole organisation when I say we are incredibly excited to have Joe Barakat at the club next season.”

Joe Barakat:

Head Coach: Junior Waratahs and Academy - 2005 – 2010

Forwards Set Piece and Defence Coach: Fiji Rugby Union - 2009 – 2010

Assistant Coach (Forwards and Defence): NTT Communications Shining Arcs: 2010 –2012

Forwards Coach: Toshiba - 2012 – 2015

Assistant Coach: Ulster Rugby – 2015 - Present
https://www.westernforce.com.au/arti...-western-force

[valzc]

Wow! He comes with a big rep! Sounds like he'll be teaching Wessels just as much as the boys! Am very happy with him coming to the Force!

[The InnFORCEr]

Force name Barakat as forwards coach

Nick Taylor
The West Australian
September 22, 2016, 8:39 am


Barakat, the first management appointment under new coach Dave Wessels, also has specialist skills at the collision, coaching players on taking the ball into contact, and as a defence coach.

Barakat has spent two years at Ulster and will head to Perth in December after being released by the Irish club.

“I speak for the whole organisation when I say we are incredibly excited to have Joe Barakat at the club next season," Wessels said.

Barakat has been a technical consultant to both Fiji and Samoa and in 2008 was appointed as Fijian forwards coach.

He was Australian under-21 forwards and defence coach in 2004 and in 2006 joined the Waratahs as their academy and ‘A’ side coach for five years.

He then spent five years in Japan, first as forwards and defence coach at the Shining Arcs and then the Brave Lupus before signing with Ulster last year.

He has coached Shute Shield clubs Southern Districts and West Harbour.

Barakat said he was looking forward to a new opportunity at the Force.

“This opportunity with the Western Force is a chance for me to take on a senior position at a Super Rugby franchise, while also bringing me back closer to my family, having spent a long time away from home," he said.

Ulster director of rugby, Les Kiss, who was instrumental in taking Barakat to the club, said he would be a major loss but understood his reasons for leaving.

"At the outset Joe and I had an understanding that we would consider any options that became available to him and I can understand how appealing this role is for a number of reasons," Kiss said.

"It is an enhanced position within the coaching structure and allows him to return to Australia after seven years away from his family.

“I have known Joe for a long time and, as expected, he has done a tremendous job for Ulster Rugby since his arrival.

"He has provided coaches and players alike with a fresh insight and perspective into the game which has really added value to our rugby program from the academy and under-age structures up to the senior squad."

https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sp...s-coach/#page1

[The InnFORCEr]

Can't believe Tom Fearn has missed out again.....

[trytime]

Can't believe Tom Fearn has missed out again.....

I heard he heading to Europe.
at least there is Mr Nestor who will still be around! Phew!

[shasta]

Can't believe Tom Fearn has missed out again.....

Can't believe Ulster would have a bloody Mungo as Director of Rugby.