PORT Macquarie Pirates have kept it simple after announcing who will take charge in season 2017.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The club has gone back to basics and employed those who understand what it means to be a Pirate and the culture associated with it.
In Tom Vallentine and Chris Young, the club has two coaches who won’t take a backward step.
Vallentine coached the under-18s last year while Young hung up the boots a little under two years ago.
When asked what they hoped to achieve in season 2017, there was no talk of Hastings Valley Vikings.
Young was matter-of-fact.
“One of the main reasons I wanted to coach was because I didn’t want to get out of touch,” he said.
Young wants one club and that means one that’s in it together. He won’t put himself or Vallentine on a pedestal.
“I think I can relate to the players on a certain level because I was a player recently, but that works both ways,” he said.
“We want the younger players to be able to relate to us as well.”
President Peter Gerathy said the club was in capable hands with Vallentine and Young.
One of the main reasons I wanted to coach was because I didn’t want to get out of touch.
- Chris Young
“These guys have been around the club for years and one thing they will bring to the first graders is that enthusiasm,” he said.
“It’s only two years ago since Chris stopped playing.
“They know the young guys in the club, Tom coached the 18s and there are about seven or eight of them coming through to the senior ranks next year.”
Gerathy said it was important the coach had a knowledge and understanding of the club.
“But it’s not the be-all and end-all,” he said.
“If there was someone that came to the club – and I’ll use Tim Maine as an example – he’s an ex-Wallabies coach, but he hasn’t got the time.
“He’ll help where he can with all clubs and if there was someone like that who wanted to coach, of course you’d fall over backwards to get them on board.”
Young and Vallentine will also place an emphasis on attending training.
“If you are prepared to train and put in the hard work, you’re going to play senior football,” Gerathy said.
“If you don’t want to train, you are not going to be playing first grade.
“That’s one of their focuses this year – people are expected to train. If you’re turning up and putting in the effort you’re a big chance of playing first grade.”