West Harbour head coach Mark Gudmunson. Photo: Rugby AU Media/Stuart Walmsley
West Harbour head coach, Mark Gudmunson says he will be looking to develop a balanced attacking approach this year and has urged fans to be excited by the Club’s strong pre-season and emerging talent.
Gudmunson, who returns for his second year in the job, says a key focus for the Club was player retention and recruitment in the off season.
“This year we’ve had time to plan, recruit and retain players,” he said.
“I’ve had the time and the experience now to take a step back and research the players that we’re bringing in so that I can build a squad with depth.”
The 41-year-old has been involved as a player and coach at the Club since 1995 and is excited by the return of over three quarters of the Club’s First Grade side this season.
“For these players to sign on, it shows how much they enjoy being here and how much they believe in the program and what we’re trying to achieve as a group,” he said.
“It’s about creating some depth in our squad, the ability to rest players or have our reserves step up will go a long way in extending our season.”
West Harbour will also welcome back last year’s First Grade captain, Dion Spice, one of the players Gudmunson believes will be crucial to consistent success in 2020.
“Certainly, Dion will be important for us again and I’m sure is ready to take the next step this season,” he said.
“I’m also impressed by the progress of our young players like James Turner, he’ll get his chance at fullback this season and in my eyes should be in contention for representative honours like Australian Sevens.”
The Club’s coaching stocks will also be bolstered in 2020 with the addition of Club stalwart and Fiji International, Campese Mafu.
According to Gudmunson, the inclusion of Mafu as scrum coach is as important for the players training and rugby philosophy as it is on field performance.
“He’s come up through the whole junior ranks, he’s represented us all the way from the age of six and gone on to achieve amazing things over a thirteen-year professional career, so to have Campese on board this year is exciting,” he said.
“The boys learn so much from Campese about how to live as an athlete off the field, because being able to balance all those lifestyle elements can really help produce more on the field.
“He has such a strong following here at West Harbour and we are really excited to see what he can bring to our Club now in a coaching capacity.”
West Harbour will face Randwick in Round One of the Shute Shield season, a fixture that the Club won 39-24 in their first meeting of 2019.
“A lot of people suggest that Randwick’s running game is what sets them apart, but I think it’ll be a much more measured side that we face,” Gudmunson said.
“If we put pressure on them and turn over the ball, we can rattle them early and manage a strong victory similar to that of Round Two last season.”
Notorious to the Club’s rugby formula is a fast and attacking style of play, but Gudmunson admits this can’t come at the expense of physical defence this season.
“There’s no doubt that one of our strengths is that flair and ability to play attacking rugby,” he said.
“But we may have to taper that back at times this year, so we ensure that we don’t get caught out if the ball starts coming back the other way.”
The Pirates will play the majority of their home games at Drummoyne Oval in 2020 during the redevelopment of the facilities in Concord.
The move will allow West Harbour to further the expansion of the Inner West Rugby Hub, in what Gudmunson describes as a crucial part of the Club’s identity.
“To be able to promote our rugby in an Inner West area like Drummoyne is exciting, it’s an opportunity to expand our fanbase and showcase our talent in a proud rugby catchment,” he said.
“Any chance we get to spread our wings is really good for the Club and we’re all looking forward to it.”
Declan Armstrong
Media and Communications Officer | West Harbour Pirates Rugby Club
