EXCLUSIVE: Coetzee's big vision for Eastern Province
SPOTLIGHT: @Rugby365com reporter Angus Opperman spoke to former Springbok and Namibia head coach Allister Coetzee on his appointment as Eastern Province mentor and his vision for the struggling union.
Coetzee returns to EP where his career started as a player and coach and is clear in his vision as his new role as head coach of the EP Elephants.
"There's not a lot of coaches who get the opportunity to start somewhere and then go back at almost the end of their coaching careers," Coetzee told @Rugby365com.
"Going 'full circle' - it's really, for me a great honour to be back in this environment that meant so much for me where I started as a player.
"Now I have the opportunity to go back and forge a new pathway to get EP back on track again.
"It's such a proud rugby province, with lots of intellect, and you just have to look at who's representing the majority of teams in South Africa, where they come from.
"Especially the black players, then you see the EP is a conveyor belt for producing black players in this country - and it's massive.
"But I also said to them that it's time that we become the factory owners and not just the conveyor belt."
Coetzee admitted that the project will not be an overnight success story, but rather a work in progress to get to the ultimate goal of getting the union back to it's former glory again.
"It's a three year contact, with a plus one [year extension] - so it gives me time to do a proper and decent job and not just a rushed thing looking for instant results.
"We all know the budget are not as good as the Currie Cup [sides] and franchises, but this is also an opportunity to get to a Currie Cup.
"I think EP must play top-tier rugby and that is the Currie Cup premier division - they've been a Test union, they've played Super Rugby and Currie Cup for a long time.
"The province is hungry for top quality rugby, and my duty is to make sure that we prepare players for higher honours."
The article continues below...
Coetzee gave insight on his vision of how he wants to turn the union around and what the key elements are that will be required.
"I'm going to build proper relationships with all stakeholders in EP.
"Our goal should be to get the province back into top-flight rugby... that's a non-negotiable.
"We have to make it work, and put in the effort.
"In Eastern Province everyone is passionate about the game but everyone's arrows points in different directions and then the game suffers.
"I'm not someone who's talking about boardroom issues, the boardroom will sort that out but it's my duty in terms of what my role is going to be.
"Not just head coach, but I want to bring complete alignment.
"We need Nelson Mandela Bay University to get back in the Varsity Cup, our schools have always been competitive at Craven week, we need to make sure that pathway is healthy and everyone buys into the idea of the identity of the new EP way."
@Rugby365com asked Coetzee what the plan will be to retain players in the province as so many of the region's players ply their trade elsewhere and have become highly successful.
"Once we have a quality competition such as the Currie Cup to play in, players will stay - there will be more players staying than leaving because they love Gqeberha.
"From there the jump is obviously URC and international, but we will continue to identify and develop players from school level.
"It's good for South African Rugby, but we need to get EP in the Currie Cup and that is the big thing and preparing players for higher honors."
Coetzee touched on the near-future and what challenges and goals he has for EP.
"We're participating in the SA Cup and I'm looking forward to that.
"I'm sure it's almost a bit late in terms of contracting, but I know next year there's a great opportunity to qualify again [for the Currie Cup] and we'll take shots every year and grow this team.
"We've got to compete against franchises like Griquas, Cheetahs, Pumas and Griffons.
"The jump between first-division in terms of finances... it's a big jump.
"We have to survive on six to eight month contracts, those guys contract for 12 months.
"The big challenge is player retention, so on the one hand - get to the Currie Cup as it's a way of retaining players.
"But we also have to think out of the box and see how we can keep our U20s, build a Varsity Cup team, align with them and build a pathway with those guys to stay.
"Sign medium to long-term contracts with younger players, those kind of things I'm looking at and hoping to get all the support from all the stakeholders."
When asked whether his role will solely be coaching or whether he has other off-field responsibilities, Coetzee admitted his job won't just stop on the pitch.
"Whatever is going to make EP better I will drive.
"I'm definitely going to rub shoulders with the clubs and club coaches and get the standard of our club rugby even better.
"There's a solid structure there, they have a good club competition going but we need to improve on that.
"We need to make sure our top clubs perform well in the Gold Cup as well.
"I'll be not solely be focusing on the professional side, but I'd like to engage with club rugby as well as it's your lifeline - that's where the talent normally is and even your Craven Week schools and get an EP blueprint to get what this province is all about."
@Angyboyj
@Rugby365com