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RugbyWA CEO Vern Reid said the search for a new Head Coach at the Emirates Western Force will start immediately but the club won’t be rushed into making any hasty decisions following a commitment from current Force mentor, John Mitchell, to see through his contract until the end of the 2011 season.
Mitchell informed the club on Wednesday that he wouldn’t seek reappointment following the conclusion of his current contract and remains totally focused on achieving the best results possible for the side over the next season and a half.
“It is business as usual in the sense that John’s decision has been made to simply clarify his situation,” Mr Reid said at a packed media conference.
“Obviously the news is now out in the international rugby community that there is a position here in 2012 so I would anticipate that in the next couple of days I’ll start to receive expressions of interest.
“We’ll also start the process to look for a coach similar to John’s standing to take over in 2012.
“Coaches normally have one or two year contracts and John’s decision will allow others an opportunity to think if they’d like to be part of the Emirates Western Force. From our point of view we’ll start the process but it won’t be a hurried process.”
Mitchell, a former All Blacks coach, has been at the Emirates Western Force since their inaugural season in 2006 and has played a significant role in establishing a professional set-up in Western Australia.
“I’m totally committed to my contract right until the end. That has been communicated all along and nothing will change,” Mitchell said.
“I’m looking forward to the weekend big time, looking forward to today’s training session, nothing changes. I’m no different to a player coming out of contract at 2011, I just happen to be totally transparent on my future.”
Mr Reid said the Force would explore options from across the globe in their search for a new coach and had full confidence the club was in safe hands for the next 15 months.
“John sought to clarify his longer term position and you’ll find that the team and the coach are absolutely committed to getting us off the bottom of the ladder and making the best possible go of what is left of this season,” said Mr Reid.
“John’s contract goes until the end of 2011. That is the situation that exists and I don’t have a plan that we would look to change that. It is however an international game and if we had another decision to make then we might have another decision.
“As we’re talking right now 2010 and 2011 is John’s contract and I’d anticipate he would be here with the Emirates Western Force.”