Brendan Venter is already making headlines following his announcement as Sharks Director of Rugby on Tuesday. His previous, or shall I say current employers, Saracens, issued a statement yesterday saying that Venter would continue in his role as Technical Director.
Investigating this a bit more, Venter stepped down from being Director of Rugby at Saracens in January 2011. Since then he has been visiting the club on a monthly basis, offering the club and coaches advise.
Confirmation from the Sharks indicate that this will continue. Once Venter takes over the full coaching role for the Currie Cup, he will still fly to London once a month to consult with the Saracens coaches. How long each of these visits last is yet to be determined, but the Sharks confirm that this role will not be time consuming.
While many might see a problem with our interim head coach jetting off once a month while the team is playing Currie Cup rugby, I see a fantastic opportunity. Let’s remember, Venter will not be the head coach once the next instalment of Super Rugby comes around, leaving him free to jet to London once a month without leaving our team to tour on their own.
The door that this connection with Saracens opens up though, is what we should concentrate on. Not only are we creating ties with one of the best clubs in England, we will be sharing a playing style with them, sharing ideas, creating a think tank that Sharks fans have been calling for.
Going a step further, both sets of players could greatly benefit from a loan structure between clubs, which could come in handy should either club have a desperate injury crises in a certain position. Apart from those emergency situations, talented youngsters waiting in the wings at the Sharks could well go across to gain experience and come back rounded players.
Yes the conditions are not exactly the same, and there is a big difference in the type of rugby that is being played, but surely this experience would do any player the world of good. Thinking beyond the players themselves, coaching staff could gain plenty from going over to a sister club in the off season to learn new methods and drills.
The above does not even take into account the marketing that could be done with this type of connection, with exhibition matches being played either in South Africa or in England, again, opportunities that our players and teams do not currently have.
The theories and ideas mentioned might shock a few, some might see where I am going with this. The fact remains, the Sharks are heading into a new era, and with a bit of thinking outside of the norm, the Sharks could be at the beginning of achieving fantastic results while being world leaders in innovation.
Tweet
I like it Rich, Sharks could possibly re-establish themselves at the forefront of innovation for professional rugby.
I can only imagine the number of young players the Sharks will be attracting if they manage to establish an exchange program with Saracens.
I like it!! We can only benefit from a few new ideas. Look how our scrumming improved when Frederico Mendez came to the Sharks for Currie Cup a few years ago and how Carlos Spencer improved Elton Jantjies’ attacking play. Everyone has a different way of looking at things.
Any truth to the news on the radio this morning that Piennaar wants to come back to the Sharks? 😀
I like the idea’s , I am just not sure I like him not being here all the time. My biggest worry is that he might have too much on his plate. Only time will tell.
@ChrisS (Comment 3) : I wont be surprised and actually thought he might be back on by the fact that plum is gone. Maybe Muller would also like to come back?
This sounds great. I am just glad you said thinking outside of the norm and not box
@ChrisS (Comment 3) : I would realy not min if he comes back. He is a extremely talented player with a lot of experience.
@ChrisS (Comment 3) :
Check back in about 10 minutes for the story..
I see that the dog of a van Zyl is up to his tricks again by undermining John’s decision for appointing Venter saying he wanted Plum to have 2 more years. He needs to get with the flow or get out.
http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Super15/Van-Zyl-wanted-Plumtree-to-stay-20130613
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 8) : cant wait
@Viking (Comment 7) : And a guy like Reinach can learn a lot from him.
@Viking (Comment 9) : They should just release this oke off his duties as soon as possible.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 11) : pwhahahaha must be the joke of the year…
What I really do like abut Venter there and JS there, The Sharks are actually taking rugby serious for once in their lives. This to me is the most important part of all this change.
@Uli (Comment 13) : Uli, stop being a plank 🙄
@FireTheLooser (Comment 15) : ok maybe he can learn at least one thing … 😛 hehe
@Uli (Comment 12) : So John is to be his understudy for the next couple of months. At least he will learn what not to do 😳
@Viking (Comment 17) : Do what? be a snake?
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 8) : i would give up my new bakkie for ruan to come back
@Uli (Comment 12) :
He is leaving his post 30 June
@Uli (Comment 5) : I’d love to have Muller back given our lack of locks at the moment! @Viking (Comment 7) : I agree with you!! @Richard Ferguson (Comment 8) : Will do, thanks Rich!
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 20) : Serious? not end Fed 2014 anymore?
@Uli (Comment 22) :
That is what has been reported.
John Smit is the new Sharks CEO from 1 July 2013.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 23) : From what we have read here, aren’t they doing a duel thing until Feb next year? not sure about it now.
@Uli (Comment 24) :
The mentorship program was originally reported, but when asked about it at the press conference, it was made clear that Smit is boss from 1 July.
van Zyl will be around should Smit need any help, but in no official capacity whatsoever.
I think the next “tough discussion” John is going to have is with one Brian van Zyl.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 25) : ok awesome, I highly doubt he will ask for help 😀
@robdylan (Comment 26) : Amen
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 25) : That is great news. I can’t see van Zyl doing anything more than shredding some papers for John and getting him some coffee.
All good and well just as long as that smiling Saracens hooker stays far away from Durban.
I had the same ideas as you Rich. Time will tell if that is going to happen and if its going to work. I am anxiously positive for Shark Rugby’s future.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 30) : Schalk Brits? No, I don’t think so.
Any rumours about a “kop dokter” yet?
@SteelShark (Comment 33) : At this stage they might need to implement a psych ward 😈
I am excited about our future, truly.
@robdylan (Comment 32) : Yep, the Cape Town okes love him.
Since Sarries planted plastic grass, conditions are similiar to harder fields. Home games anyway.
@Mclovin: Is that the grass with the metal spikes in?
@SteelShark (Comment 38) : No idea.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 36) :
Thats because he’s a massively talented player! Not the best in the world, but good to watch and loads of skills. Pretty nice guy too.
@SteelShark (Comment 38) :
What are you on about? The artificial pitch is, by all accounts, a massive success.
@VinChainSaw (Comment 40) : Im glad he is a nice guy.
@Vin: Ive only heard about it. Was wondering how safe it is.
Interesting report in last nights paper. Plum out Venter in and Kanko then signs Sharks deal??
@markp (Comment 44) : which paper was that?
It’s no coincidence though.
Daily News announced JP, Beeeeeast and Kanko had signed new contracts.
@markp (Comment 46) :
Great news!!
@markp (Comment 46) :
We reported the same on Tuesday mate..
Doesn’t Saracens and Province have a loan/share agreement? If I’m not mistaken, mr Rupert have interests in both ‘clubs’