Staff John Ackland

[Miket12]

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John Ackland is leaving the Warriors at the end of the season. From what I've heard, he will possibly be replaced by Wigan coach Shaun Wane

https://www.warriors.co.nz/news-display/Ackland-stepping-down-at-end-of-2013/76784

Vodafone Junior Warriors coach John Ackland has advised the club he will not be seeking an extension of his contract for the 2014 season and beyond.
Ackland has been in the role since 2010 after a term as NRL assistant coach from 2006-2009.
He coached the Vodafone Junior Warriors to reach the NYC finals in 2010, 2011 and 2012, including winning the Toyota Cup premiership in both 2010 and 2011.
Ackland, who was part of the club’s foundation coaching staff in 1995, returned to the Vodafone Warriors in 2004.
“John has confirmed his intention to move on at the end of the 2013 season,” said Vodafone Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah.
“We respect his decision and wish him well for the future. John has made a significant contribution to the club and will continue to do so through to the end of this season. We will all be doing our utmost to support him in finishing his tenure in the best possible way as our NYC coach.”
After receiving Ackland’s advice, Scurrah said the club immediately began the process to appoint the new Vodafone Junior Warriors coach and anticipates an announcement soon.
“When Matt Elliott was appointed (as head coach) last October he had some definite ideas on how we could further improve our overall recruitment and development structure,” he said.
“Matt and (general manager football) Dean Bell are reviewing the current structure and future plans. As well as announcing the new NYC coach we will also be in a position to reveal details of this in the near future.”
Scurrah added it was crucial the Vodafone Warriors continued to recruit the best talent available and to also further improve how the club develops young players into NRL professionals.

 

[Jay M]

I'd heard Ackland was on the outer as well... I don't see Wane coming in to replace Ackland though? Why would Wane give up coaching one of the best ESL sides to coach our U20s? Wane could come in as an assistant to Elliot with the long term view to succeed him with ME moving to a coaching director role.

 

[ajofbrisbane]

John Ackland is leaving the Warriors at the end of the season. From what I've heard, he will possibly be replaced by Wigan coach Shaun Wane

https://www.warriors.co.nz/news-display/Ackland-stepping-down-at-end-of-2013/76784

I was talking to John at Suncorp just before the NRL team ran out......

He told me last week at Suncorp that he wouldn’t be coaching at the Warriors next year….I asked him if it was voluntary or pushed…he replied a bit of both. Said the Elliot regime is very different. I asked whether he would be at Penrith next year and he said would prefer not as his preference was to stay in NZ

 

[Miket12]

I'd heard Ackland was on the outer as well... I don't see Wane coming in to replace Ackland though? Why would Wane give up coaching one of the best ESL sides to coach our U20s? Wane could come in as an assistant to Elliot with the long term view to succeed him with ME moving to a coaching director role.

That's what I've heard - Wane to be 'groomed' to take over from Elliot in 2015.

 

[Lord Gnome of Howick MBE]

Maybe this will see a standard set of plays adopted for all three teams, making for the seamless promotion of players from U20s through Vulcans to NRL?

Or maybe not.[DOUBLEPOST=1370904801][/DOUBLEPOST]

That's what I've heard - Wane to be 'groomed' to take over from Elliot in 2015.

In a sexual predator type way?

 

[Kalcod]

Deleted, already posted elsewhere

 

[Miket12]

I was talking to John at Suncorp just before the NRL team ran out......

He told me last week at Suncorp that he wouldn’t be coaching at the Warriors next year….I asked him if it was voluntary or pushed…he replied a bit of both. Said the Elliot regime is very different. I asked whether he would be at Penrith next year and he said would prefer not as his preference was to stay in NZ

From what I heard, Ackland is likely to land a role with Auckland RL with the secondary schools comp in player development.

 

[ajofbrisbane]

From what I heard, Ackland is likely to land a role with Auckland RL with the secondary schools comp in player development.

That would go along with him wanting to stay in NZ......he should still be employed at the club as a talent scount IMO.

 

[Offsider]

If he's staying in NZ with Auckland RL then I don't mind it, and as mentioned would still be able to scout our talent at grass roots which would mean we don't lose too much 'human capital' in the sense of Acklands network of contacts. This is my hope anyway.

Could be a good opportunity to see a new style of play introduced into the Juniors too with a new coach, hopefully developing halves and dummy halves, as opposed to relying on raw power to run over opposition.

And this idea of Wane replacing him throws more weight behind the Tomkins brothers coming with him.

But then what, a years time we are searching for a new Juniors coach??

 

[ToiletDuck]

If he's staying in NZ with Auckland RL then I don't mind it, and as mentioned would still be able to scout our talent at grass roots which would mean we don't lose too much 'human capital' in the sense of Acklands network of contacts. This is my hope anyway.

Could be a good opportunity to see a new style of play introduced into the Juniors too with a new coach, hopefully developing halves and dummy halves, as opposed to relying on raw power to run over opposition.

And this idea of Wane replacing him throws more weight behind the Tomkins brothers coming with him.

But then what, a years time we are searching for a new Juniors coach??

I hadn't heard the Wane to Juniors rumour, though did know he was being lined up for a role within the club.

Even if he did only coach the juniors for a year and we were looking for a new coach after a year, it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. I have NFI who would be next in line for the Juniors gig, but I would assume it would be someone from within Auckland rugby league. If that's delayed for a season, so we can have a look at Wane and this weird Burgess-styled recruitment drive we're doing with the Tomkins boys...then I think it's worth a punt.

 

[Raurimu Massive]

Awwgummon

 

[OMG]

.....he should still be employed at the club as a talent scount IMO.

I disagree, the players he has had a hand in are so obviously talented it would take a mute with welding goggles not to notice them, there has been a very evident style of play he has pursued for the u20s which isn't conducive to the top grade or making footy smart players. I hope they employ a respected Aussie junior Coach, Coaching lads is far different to Coaching Men.

 

[ajofbrisbane]

I disagree, the players he has had a hand in are so obviously talented it would take a mute with welding goggles not to notice them, there has been a very evident style of play he has pursued for the u20s which isn't conducive to the top grade or making footy smart players. I hope they employ a respected Aussie junior Coach, Coaching lads is far different to Coaching Men.

Finding talent & developing talent are two different things........Ackland has a good eye for finding talent, yet these young lads aren't developed into men in under 20s...

 

[koolkat]

Good I'm glad another bit of cancer cut out,thanks for your role with the club but adios amigo time to go.only one more to go look out I'm not replaceable scurrah.the change is gonna come,man the day just got better

 

[Xt1ncT]

Maybe this will see a standard set of plays adopted for all three teams, making for the seamless promotion of players from U20s through Vulcans to NRL?

this

Build a team of guys able to rely on skill instead of size, and when ready progress regardless of age etc to the Vulcans and then the FG side.

 

[Miket12]

Build a team of guys able to rely on skill instead of size, and when ready progress regardless of age etc to the Vulcans and then the FG side.

Also, the Warriors should take over the Vulcans from the Auckland RL and run it as a proper Reserve Grade team.

 

[OMG]

Finding talent & developing talent are two different things........Ackland has a good eye for finding talent, yet these young lads aren't developed into men in under 20s...

They are 2 different things, one is very easy, the other development side starts when you are about 12, the u20s is exactly when they start developing as Men, but this transition is a lot longer than what some lead you to believe. The Rugby converts are behind the 8 ball for a few seasons and are running on instinct as they find there feet, where as the true League player has years of drills to help set up muscle memory and condition the brain to play Rugby League. At about 26-28 is when you truly start thinking about the game and you realise the difference between instinct and insight and how much easier the game can be when using your mind properly. Someone recently was talking about this, it might have been Lockyer?? You take less risks with your body without compromising play and your always thinking about 3 or 4 tackles ahead.
Manly and the Storm are the teams that have utilised there Senior players better than any other teams.

 

[ramraider78]

Also, the Warriors should take over the Vulcans from the Auckland RL and run it as a proper Reserve Grade team.

Problem with the club is they are to stingy with there cash to fully support a reserve grade team; The concept hasn't worked IMO for the past few years except for this year where the pay packets have gone up for the part time contracted players who take the field every week.

People sing about Ackland moving on, but if he doesn't stay in the local scene, recruitment will come back to haunt the club in the 20's IMO.

Seriously who's the next 20's coach? Wane, Henry, Swann???

 

[koolkat]

Problem with the club is they are to stingy with there cash to fully support a reserve grade team; The concept hasn't worked IMO for the past few years except for this year where the pay packets have gone up for the part time contracted players who take the field every week.

People sing about Ackland moving on, but if he doesn't stay in the local scene, recruitment will come back to haunt the club in the 20's IMO.

Seriously who's the next 20's coach? Wane, Henry, Swann???

Ritchie Blackmore,Andrew macfadden, a few more options out there than FG coach IMO

 

[Apus]

Ackland seemed to build a team solely to win the NYC comps, but not necessarily to better the club overall. I'm not fussed about him leaving, it'll be nice to have all the coaches in the same mindset and striving towards the same goal. I could see possibly McFadden going to U20s and Wane to assistant. Interesting times ahead.