2021 Head Coach Report
Success in sport is often measured by results on the field, however, the Queanbeyan Whites has become a club concerned with so much more than that. 2021 saw the Whites field a Women's team for the first time in almost a decade, raise over $50,000 in a single day for our local charity, Win the Day, and also saw 4 players gain professional contracts with the ACT Brumbies and overseas. The flow on from these successes saw our on-field performances thrive, with the Club winning 22 from 24 in the men's competitions in a 6-week bonanza proving off field successes can produce on field results
We started the season with a Cultural Day to celebrate the many diverse backgrounds from which the Club is built, with a large group enjoying some traditional ceremonies, dances and culinary delights. A big thanks to Tony 'Doc' Doherty, Dan Fasch and Faith Donohue for organising what will no doubt become a regular occurrence on the Whites calendar.
The defining moment of the preseason came during the trip to Jindabyne for a camp built on mental resilience and the creation of a shared direction. These types of training camps are defined by the attitude and buy in of the playing group and can galvanise or derail the culture of a season. The performance of the 60 players in attendance was nothing short of inspirational, with the deepest mental toughness called upon to complete some of the challenges set.
I genuinely believe that the Queanbeyan Whites playing group made a generational shift towards becoming more than a Rugby club on this trip and the buy in created over the weekend was the driving force for what was to play out throughout the season to come. Again, I would like to thank Kelvin Armstrong, Phil Khanthavivone, Tony Doherty and indeed the playing group for making the trip such a fantastic springboard.
In an all too familiar fashion, 4th grade set the tone for the rest of the Club all year long, with many stirring performances and victories along the way to premiership favouritism. The only way they were not raising the Premiership trophy was to come to fruition with COVID dashing what was a formality in the end. However, the 4th grade season will long be remembered by this author, as a season that saw families returning to the rugby. With many former Whites players returning to the Club with wives and children in tow, it created a warm and engaging atmosphere to start off our Saturdays and I hope to see this trend continue. I'd like to thank Zach Byrnes and Vince Townsend for their efforts in coaching and managing the infamous Whites juggernaut in 2021.
Third grade built nicely on their successful 2020 campaign, with a top two finish on the cards heading into the cancelled final round. Zac Jerrim and Timmy O'Brien did a fantastic job of steering a side that changed personnel evey week and should be proud of their efforts. 3rds also saw many players developing their skills to become regular selections in 2nd grade, which will see the Club head into 2022 with increased depth across the park.
Colts have become the most stressful grade to watch or coach at the Whites. The young lads kicked off the season winning one of their first five games before reeling off eight wins from the next nine to be sitting in second spot heading into the finals. Manny Posantzis had an inspirational season in Colts as the captain and has shown that he will play a major part in the higher grades over the next few years, debuting as a starter in a winning first grade side against Tuggeranong. Adam Bennett and Jake Gordon should be commended on the way that they handle a year marred by injuries and higher selections for their Colts cohort.
The revival of the Whites Women's side brought with a refreshing dynamic to the Club, with the ladies quickly becoming a strong part of our fabric. Fran Langi and Dean Falvey created a strong group that worked hard every week to improve their rugby. The Club and wider community thoroughly enjoyed watching the ladies play under lights and were not left disappointed, particularly when witnessing a famous drop goal by Mia Kiriui. A special mention to Caroline Tai for being the glue of not only the Women's program but also the master behind the social media of the Club.
In the annual report from 2020, I described the second-grade side as showing extreme mental resilience and a never quit attitude and boy did they reproduce in 2021. The reserve grade boys had won only one game from their first seven before catching the winning bug from the Colts side - rattling off six straight wins prior to the abandonment of the competition. To observe the perseverance and passion to keep working after the slow start was testament to the character of the group and showed the value of the hard work performed way back at Jindabyne. I have long shouted praise for Dave Carters genuine interest in his players and their welfare - I will be forever grateful to him for the extra value he brings to the club and with club legend Dan Penca assisting, second grade were always in good hands.
Before I summarise the efforts of the First grade side, I would like to thank Glen Stumbles for his loyalty, commitment and passion for the Club. Stumbo has been associated with the Club for over 20 years and having him return was incredibly valuable and I hope to see more old boys follow suit. I would also like to thank Tim Hawke for his perspective and input into the side - he is an incredibly underrated rugby strategist and highly regarded by the entire playing group. To Kelvin Armstrong and Matt Kilmister, thank you for the way in which you maintained such positive and influential relationships with me and the players alike.
I would also like to thank Dan Fasch and Phil Khanthavivone for your efforts with both the Academy and broader playing group. You are both consummate professionals and a major reason for the professional training environment that we are building. To Club President Mick Pini and his committee - thank you for your unwavering support both of myself and the playing group. You have never given up on the player or coaching staff and your support has allowed us to work our way out of the darkness and into the light.
First grade showed the competition what a team can do when they believe in themselves. After a horror season in 2020, the side could have simply rolled over, quit and dished up more of the same. Instead, they fronted up and played some of the most electric rugby seen for years.
Zane Hogan played every minute of every game at tight head prop and was the catalyst of what would become one of the best set pieces in the competition. Brendan Jimenez had one of the most unbelievable seasons delivered by an individual since the days of Josh Hastings or prime Dan Penca.
Ultimately though, as I opined in my opening paragraph, success is often measured by results on the field. Whilst the statistics will say that the Queanbeyan Whites First Grade side finished the abandoned season precariously positioned in 5th spot, the memories of those that watched or were involved with the side will remember otherwise.
We will remember Zeph Tuinona crashing over to steal a famous victory from the jaws of defeat against Tuggeranong, before winning a penalty to seal the game deep into injury time. We will remember watching Fred Kaihea making his ACT Brumbies debut and the bonus point victory away against Gungahlin.
But most of all, we will remember Sakai Tai returning to the first-grade side on Win the Day round and the feeling of excitement, passion and euphoria on the victory that followed. We will remember the fund raising efforts of that night, the electric atmosphere and genuine sense of having created and participated in something bigger than rugby.
When reflecting on everything that we achieved throughout 2021 and pondering what could have been without a global pandemic; it almost feels right have finished up on that note. If nothing else, it has left a strong sense of unfinished business for 2022 and a stronger, more united Queanbeyan Whites moving together in search of all kinds of success.
Sam French
Club Head Coach
