According to the Sharks website, another former international tight head prop has been appointed to a senior leadership position, with Etienne Fynn named as the new Managing Director of the Sharks Academy.
Fynn, who has come up through the ranks as a coach over the last few years after a brief post-playing stint as a SuperSport commentator, most recently took the reigns of the Sharks under 21 side – at rather short notice after both Sean Everitt and Brad Macleod-Henderson were called up to the senior Currie Cup coaching ranks. He has also been involved with coaching at Vodacom Cup level, as well as acting as a specialist scrumming coach for the senior side.
Hans Scriba, who has been responsible for the growth of the Academy since its creation a dozen years ago, is moving on to a position with the national union, with Fynn set to step into his shoes at the beginning of 2014. “I’m extremely excited, it’s a new challenge that I’m really looking forward to,” he told Sharks website editor Michael Marnewick.
“The primary aim of The Sharks Academy is to produce future Sharks but at its core, I think if you concentrate on developing decent people, good young men, the end product takes care of itself. We don’t believe in quick fixes, it’s all about serving your time in terms of ticking the boxes. And generally, over the last 13 years, we’ve observed that the boys that come through successfully and have long careers are those who have fulfilled the requirements necessary and served their time.
“Essentially, I want to build on what’s come before me. Hans Scriba and my fellow staff have certainly built a magnificent Academy here, we are often taken by pleasant surprise when our peers in other provinces tell us what a good job we’re doing. We constantly strive to be the best we can at our jobs and are encouraged by the words we receive from others.
“The Academy is something The Cell C Sharks and the KZN family can be very proud of and so I aim to build on that in an inclusive manner, with discussion and the buy-in of all role-players.”
We’d like to congratulate Etienne on his appointment and wish him all the best for the future.

Nice one Etienne! Sharks Academy is in good hands!
Rob, who takes over the under 21 duties now?
i must say the noises coming out of Durban are extremely encouraging. Now to get a professional to deal with the mental aspects.
Scriba moving to the “national” union?. I presume he is now a mainstream Shark but still based in Durban.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 4) : I have no idea what you mean. He’s going to work for SARU, according to the report on Sharksrugby.
@vanmartin (Comment 2) : I don’t know, but I think Kayser would be a good bet. I’m told he’s Vodacom Cup head coach this year.
All got a bit stagnant at the academy so ja some new idea’s could be a good thing.
Heard lots of good things of Hans Scriba, bit of a blow to the sharks there. Wasn’t he also gonna help out with the lions??
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 4) I didnt couple SARU, with national union, I thought he was staying with the Sharks but moving up….its been a long week. Great for him to be taken up by SARU
Good luck to both Hans and Etienne!!!!