Ronald Griffiths hopes his appointment to the role of head coach on the Men’s Indigenous All-Stars team will help inspire the next wave of Indigenous peoples to take on the challenge of leading a team themselves .
The skills and contributions of Indigenous Australian athletes have long been recognized and celebrated on the playing field, but there is a shortage of those who can be respected in the coaching ranks.
Introducing the 2023 Indigenous All-Stars Coaches
Griffiths, who recently led the Newcastle Knights to the NRLW’s first ever premiership, said that seeing people like himself achieve at the top level would make a difference and encourage more First Nations people to take up the coaching role. I hoped that you would pursue it.
“Any high-level[Indigenous]coach would tell you that our job is to open the door for many of the next coaches,” Griffiths said.
“They will get rewarded for the hard work we do. There was a whole generation of certain Aboriginal men and women, and when we talk about referendums and all sorts of things like that, we live in a world where we have to fight for the next generation, for the next generation of people. is.
“We want to open the door for as many Aboriginal coaches and support staff as possible in the NRL.
“I think we can talk about whatever happens in life, especially from our perspective as Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders, but there are things you have to face no matter what, but how do you deal with that? It’s up to you to accept it. It affects what you do.
“The important thing is that you have to keep working hard, keep showing up, and keep striving for excellence.
“Because our talent and opportunities, once presented, lead to success. We are very talented and good at what we do.”
While positive progress has been made in the women’s game when it comes to providing opportunities for Indigenous coaches (Jess Skinner has just returned from a Rugby League World Cup winning campaign at Jillaroos), top coaches I’m running out. The men’s game was an issue the NRL had been working hard on.
In his role as Senior Manager of Elite Indigenous Pathways, former player Timana Tuff has been a key figure, despite the high-profile appointment of Jonathan Thurston last year as assistant to Billy Slater’s Queensland Maroons. Looking at the data, his research underscored the need to provide more opportunities for aspiring Indigenous coaches.
“I did some research…[and]in the last 11 or 12 years, the NRL has not had an Indigenous head coach or assistant coach since the franchise began.
“Laurie Daly is probably our best Indigenous coach, having coached NSW and country, but he had never coached club football at NRL club level. Over the years we have seen talented Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander athletes that we have had no avenue for them to have the opportunity to coach.
“NRL wanted to use the NRL All Stars as a vehicle.
“There are coaches who have been in the NRLW but I consider them separate competitions and there are also a few coaches in the Queensland Cup and NSW Cup. Last year, the NRL was coached by our new head coach, Ronnie Griffiths.
“Me and the NRL, with the support of the Australian Rugby League Commission, want to use this as a pathway for our coaches, so they are coaching at the top level and their experience and show off their skills.
“I would love to see a coach who goes through an All-Star career to bring opportunities to NRL clubs and become a success story.”
Griffith was considered an ideal candidate for this year’s Indigenous All-Stars team. Also having served as his assistant coach on both the women’s and men’s teams under Daley had the added bonus of having knowledge of what the All-Stars concept is. Before.
However, like his assistant coach, longtime Northern Pride coach, former Origin player Ty Williams, and current The Game star Cody Walker, he still had to wait until he was finally offered the position. It had to go through a strenuous process.
A panel composed of Tough, Daley and Kangaroo coach Mal Meninga and Jirarouz coach Brad Donald evaluated potential candidates and reviewed the results of the Indigenous Players Advisory Group and the Australian Rugby League Indigenous Council. After consulting with both, an Indigenous All-Star team coach was appointed for the Indigenous men’s and women’s teams. selected.
“It’s a solid process and I think it’s the right way for the Indigenous community to understand that there were several parties that went through the process, not just the game and the brand, and they all agreed. The process and the selection of coaches.” So,” Tuff said.
“I think that’s why it’s been so successful. For fans to understand, it’s also very well thought out and not a ‘check the box’ and not a boys club approach.” prize. in addition.
“We looked at every angle from companies, strategies, communities, players and football knowledge. We got the right coaches.”
With his appointment officially announced last week, Griffith has already started preparing for the game, but is also looking forward to the off-field impact he and his players can achieve with both Indigenous and Maori men and women. increase. The team is committed to its own learning as well as sharing the culture in the community.
For Griffith, the proud Gomeroy man, this is one of the most important and rewarding aspects of the week.
“This game is a celebration of Culture Week.
“This is an opportunity for the NRL to be the conduit to bring our culture out into the world and put it at the forefront of our storytelling, everything that has to do with our song and dance. is the perfect opportunity to express and showcase the strength of the world’s oldest surviving culture.
“Excitement, it’s obvious. I can’t wait.
“It will be an opportunity to go[to New Zealand]and see their culture and their strength and share our culture with them.
“But on top of that, it’s great for the fans of the game that we can take it over and continue to grow the game.
With no more promotions for the week, it will be great for the supporters, players, support staff and the game itself. “
The match will take place on 11 February at the Rotorua International Stadium in Rotorua.
