Ross tackles top job for Stratford By Kylie Malin | Taranaki Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Taranaki

After two years in Stratford Rugby Club management, local primary school teacher Ross Williams has changed roles and stepped up to the position of coach of the Stratford Senior A Rugby Team.

He was appointed after being interviewed by the Stratford Rugby and Sports Club Committee for the position and at only 24 years of age he the youngest A Level coach in the history of the club.

His appointment has met with a few raised eyebrows, but Ross believes he is up to the challenge, his previous coaching and management roles experience enough to lead the squad.

"I have had two years in management with the Senior As, as well as managing the Taranaki Under-20s team. I have also coached primary teams and the country side in the rugby club's Town versus Country games. I have been exposed to a few high level coaches and it seemed like a natural progression to coach the Senior As," he said.

Ross believes his biggest asset is his knowlegdge of the team and how they play together.

"I have never played high level rugby myself but I don't see that as an issue. I think it is a nice angle to come from because I have watched and analysed this team for two seasons. I was keen to get heavily involved this season and teach the things I have learned over the years. I have had the opportunity to analyse how other coaches operate and now I can use that experience and inject it into the Senior A's with some new ideas."

Ross is looking forward to the season and has confidence in a core group of players, as well as his assistant coaches. "I am hoping to keep a core group of players from last year as well as connecting with a few younsters who are coming through. Chris Drummond and Craig Robinson are assisting with the forwards and the backs, respectively, and we will work together in a tripod effect."

As a teacher, Ross hopes to draw on his classroom experience when he takes over the mantle of coach. "I like to draw comparisons to teaching. My job is to give children the motivation to succeed and work together, and those are the values I want to instill in the Senior A team. Just like I believe in my students, I believe in the players' abilities and feel that my role is to bring out the best in them, both individually and as a team."

Despite his age, and what may seem like inexperience at top level coaching, Ross hopes that this season will be a good one for the Senior A's.

"There will always be critics looking at my age and experience, but the way I see it is, there will always be situations like that wherever you go. I am looking to do the best I can for the team and hope my great respect for the club and the team will help me do that."

Ross Williams is the newly appointed coach of the Stratford Senior A Rugby Team.