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| RLCM Extract with Brian Smith |
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| Friday, 20 February 2009 05:33 |
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RLCM Extract with Brian Smith from Coachtalk Yearbook 1 published 2000 .......in contrast, one of Smith's most enjoyable seasons was with English club Bradford in 1996. Although the Bulls did not win the competition until the following season, Smith says "the writing was on the wall after club officials worked hard to establish a comfortable team environment. With marketing, advertising, finance and staff attitudes all in sync, the football side of operations was bound to stabilise and prosper down the track." He describes the unity among the front office as amazingly inspirational and fantastic for on-field performance. Smith says "the power of people who bond together, will always remain a phenomena and proves that from one dedicated movement, a powerhouse team can be established for the future." However, in keeping with his ideas on positive thinking, Smith says the Bradford surrounds were no more of a learning experience than any other time he spent with a number of teams. Losing in fact, provided him with the knowledge to win, by exposing faults that were previously undetectable. And perhaps more importantly, it offered him a lesson in life. "You find out a lot about a person when the pressure is applied," he says. "It soon becomes clear who you can rely on and who will turn you in. People that you thought would stick by your side may disappoint you and while that isn't a nice feeling, it is better to find out that with a losing streak than on Grand Final day. "Nothing can really prepare you for the hurt when someone who you consider to be a close friend, lets you down. "But it happens all through life and it is better that you deal with it positively rather than let them win by becoming bitter and twisted on the inside. "A losing situation is a critical stage in a coach's career and while it may seem hypocritical to say it is good for something bad to happen, most coaches need it. "You discover a great deal about yourself when you have to deal with these problems and that is likely to help you handle things not just in football, but outside of it also." Having played in Group One for Casino as a teenager, Smith travelled to Sydney to play halfback first for St George and then at South Sydney. A total of 29 First Grade games belied his obvious tactical knowledge and appreciation of Rugby League's finer aspects, but after ending his playing days he focused on a new found career of coaching. Starting out with the Newtown Under-23s in 1978, Smith progressed to Souths Under- 23s and onto James Cook High School, where they won back-to-back University Shields in 1982-83. It was then he received his start as a First Grade coach with Illawarra for four seasons before departing to Hull. Returning to Australia, he took St George to Grand Finals in '91 and '92. A short stint with Bradford in 1996 bisected Smith's stints on home soil, when he eventually took the reigns as coach at Parramatta. However, although having completed one of League's longest apprenticeships and being now recognised as forming the NRL's toughest week-to-week proposition, Smith still continues to progress as a coach. "When I first started coaching, I put a piece of paper on the wall of my bedroom that basically said I would try to learn from everybody, but, would remain true to myself until the end," Smith reveals........... RLCM Monthly Coaching Club - Maybe other coaches at your club might be interested in the RLCM Monthly Coaching Club ? Receive 4 DVD's/CD's monthly and a hardcopy RLCM Book each month. AUS$34.95 per month [Credit Card only] UK AUS$39.95 includes air mail Receive the five resources below by return mail today once you join the club! * CD-ROM - RLCM Drill Books 1- 3 [250 pages]-Graphic and Animated Then receive four new resources each month - March 2009 PRINT, COMPLETE and POST, FAX or EMAIL ORDER FORM to: RLCM Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Name: ............................................................. Address: .......................................................... ................................................................... ................................................................... Phone: ............................................................ Mobile: ........................................................... Email: ............................................................ Club: ............................................................. 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