Michael Magriplis
Coaching/Officiating experience:
I started coaching in 1989 and began refereeing in 2006.
What are your qualifications (coaching/officiating level)?
Level 2 Coach; Level 2 Referee; Level 2 Touch Judge
How did you get involved in coaching and refereeing?
I played rugby union through high school at Randwick Boys High and was asked to assist the U14s when I was in the Senior Rugby ranks by one of our coaches, Ross Day; the coaching of Greg Smith (ex-wallabies coach) and Robert Farrugia (now at Sydney Grammar) became role-models to what I could do in rugby (remember I’m 170cm and 62.5kg – not the correct size for a hard-hitting blind-side breakaway)! I think this set the tone for progression into coaching when I began secondary teaching in 1989. In regards to refereeing, I first gained my Level 1 accreditation when I got to NSWRU and did all the courses and field tests to gain my Level 2. I don’t know if I would have become a referee had I not joined NSWRU but I have to concede that I do enjoy it!
What is your coaching career highlight?
It would definitely be working over the previous ten years at a grass-roots level with the Avoca Beach Rugby Football Club; the highlight there would be coaching a successful 2nd XV Premiership team and assisting both the Club and the 1st XV to a very successful 2006 season as their Skills Coach. I’ve also had the opportunity to work with some amazing footballers through ISA and NSWCCC Schoolboy representative teams, the Central Coast and Eastern Region U19 teams, the NSW Country Colts, U16 and U15 teams, and at present the NSW Suburban and Sydney Women’s rugby programs.
What are your future coaching aspirations?
My view of professional rugby is that you need very broad shoulders and a very thick skin to survive so HPU coaching seems a little too far away from me – as I’m a quiet, introverted type! I do like working with representative teams as a Coach/Technical Advisor or, one day, as a Premier Rugby Coach. Maybe a stint overseas in Europe, Asia or North America.
What attracts you most to being a State Coaching Manager?
Having an input into developing the next breed of coaches – park and grassroots, junior and senior representative – makes the job rewarding! Also, the work we do as Australia’s largest Provincial Union is a great challenge; with the goal being to be at the forefront of Coach Education for years to come.
What is the most difficult aspect of your coaching position?
Living at Copacabana (next to Avoca Beach) and travelling down the F3 each day to the SFS is pretty hard at times, as is the time spent away from my family (Tanya; Jack, Harry, Molly; and Max the dog)! It’s pretty hard saying “most difficult aspect” because I’m blessed to be given the opportunity to have a job I love doing. The hours may be long, the time away from home hard ... but I like getting out there, meeting people and assisting them to develop as rugby union coaches.
Coaching idol/role model? Why?
Greg Smith – a lot of people criticised Greg heavily but he was a genuine example of what hard-work, perseverance and self-belief can do; He was the Wallaby coach who appointed John Eales as Captain!
Jack Gibson –the man was a coaching legend! His old saying “carry a clip-board and you’ll get into the ground every time” still rings true in my ears.
Best advice you could give a new coach?
The one thing I stress to all new coaches is that planning will make everything else run smoothly – without it, the players will sense you don’t know what you’re doing! Through Coach Ed courses we always stress PLAN – ACT – REVIEW and if coaches of all ages and all abilities keep this in mind, then it will make their job a whole lot easier in the long run.
What other interests aside from Rugby?
Being with my family is number one, although at times like most people you just want ‘peace and quiet’; I love the beach and ride a mal (when I get the chance); and like most physical activities. I also read a lot of books (not self-help for those that know me) – autobiographies, history, etc.
What is your favourite Super 14 team/favourite player?
I follow the boys with the “red cabbage” on their heart ... GO THE WARATAHS!
