Rugby Legend Gary Ella returns to Randwick as Head Coach

Randwick Rugby has announced that Gary Ella has been appointed as the club’s new Head Coach and Club Coach.

Coming off a season in which Randwick made the semifinals in all seven grades, with First Grade making the Grand Final and Fourth Grade winning their Premiership, General Manager Chris Heath said he believes Ella will continue the traditions of Randwick Rugby by looking to challenge every player by concentrating on their ball skills along with the confidence to run the ball from anywhere on the field.

Heath says the appointment of Gary Ella as Head Coach and Club Coach at Randwick, is exciting for the club going forward.

“I believe we have the best man for the job,” said Heath. “The time is right, with the resurgence of tribalism in club Rugby. Crowds are returning to Coogee Oval looking for that exciting brand of running Rugby.”

Ella will be assisted by incumbent coach Mark Giacheri, and will be looking to maintain the Galloping Greens long-time philosophy of ‘Running Rugby’.

GARY ELLA
Playing Career
Australian Schoolboys – 5 Tests
Randwick – 134 First Grade games
NSW Waratahs – 25 Caps
Australian Under-21s – 2 Tests
Australia – 6 Tests
Coaching Career
Randwick, Penrith, Parramatta (First Grade Premiers 1991, Second Grade Premiers 1990; both Randwick)
NSW Under-19s
Australian Under-19s
NSW Waratahs Assistant Coach (Backs)
Australia A Assistant Coach (Backs)
Leinster (Ireland) – Head Coach

Rugby Marathon

Had a bit of a rugby marathon yesterday, watched Warringah v Norths in the shute shield competition and then headed off to the Arms to watch the Waratahs and the Force in Super 14 rugby.

Both games highlighted the problems with rugby in Australia, both were highly enjoyable in parts and equally as frustrating in others. The skill levels of the players and their attention to detail was sorely lacking on many occassions.

Simple things such as taking a pass and giving in the same movement appeared to be way to hard for some players, amazing when you consider this is their job. The Australians still believe that if there is a choice between running into a gap or setting up another phase by taking a hit into a tackler, then the extra phase play is the way to go every time…… Are the players simply getting overcoached?