Nine clubs will go into this season’s Hostplus Cup with a new coach at the helm, in one of the biggest turnovers in recent years.
With the addition of the Western Clydesdales – and kick-off to season 2023 right around the corner – the Queensland Rugby League is profiling our 10 new coaches, whether they’re coming from a different club or are completely new to the Cup arena.
Q&A with Dave Penna
What did it mean to you to be named coach of Tweed’s Hostplus Cup team?
I’m really looking forward to it. Everyone says, ‘why would you do that?’ and ‘you have enough work as it is’, but it’s my downtime. It keeps me sane. I love being around the players again and I’ve learnt a lot over my career. I’ve been able to study all the coaches at all the grades. It’s given me an understanding of things I could have been better at. I’m just looking forward to doing it again, but who knows, I might have to sack myself.
What is your coaching philosophy?
You’ve got to coach to what your team needs. It’s not my team, it’s their team. My big coaching philosophy is to just coach. Every individual needs help, no matter how experienced they are. That’s my job – to make sure any player is better than where they started.
Who would you say is your mentor or strongest influence in coaching?
It would be unfair of me to say just one. I’ve been really, really lucky to work under some great coaches in the NRL. I did 12 years with Des Hasler and four with Geoff Toovey and I was lucky to work for a year with Michael Maguire and also Brad Arthur for a number of years. Every one of them are great coaches and have their own different philosophies and mannerisms. As soon as you think you know everything, you should give it away. Every year you’re learning something different. All those coaches have great philosophies in their game. You have a bit of yourself and then take a little bit of what you can learn from them.
What are your first impressions of your squad for this season?
I have a lot of great leaders in the squad, players that are very experienced at this level. I’m looking forward to revitalising them and hopefully we don’t need to change a lot. (Former coach) Ben Woolf has done a fantastic job. I’ve been very lucky to step into programs and systems that these guys have put in place.
What are your goals for season 2023?
We’ve always put ourselves in the right positions at the business end of the year. But I’d like to see us improve, week-to-week, in those areas we need to improve on to take us a bit further.
Who within your squad will make their mark in 2023?
We’re very, very lucky to have players who are still relatively young in their careers. For me to single out anyone is hard. There’s Brent Woolf, Ryland Jacobs, Will Brimson, Lindon McGrady, Lee Turner… we’ve also been lucky enough to pick up Lloyd Perrett. I’m missing a lot of players. but these are players I believe could do a job in any NRL club. That’s been my opinion for the past three years. Unfortunately they haven’t got there yet but I’d love to see that happen for them.
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