Craig Sandercock - a revelation

[HKR AWAY DAYS]

In January I wrote an article welcoming Craig Sandercock to Hull KR. I advertised it on Facebook and Twitter to attract interest and a lady called Eve Clark from the club asked me to forward it to her. I did as requested and she passed it onto 'The Gaffer'. He read it and sent back his thanks.

This was Craig Sandercock's introduction to the enigma that is HKR AWAY DAYS!

The article is here:

Quote:He was born in Sydney in 1969 and played junior and lower league rugby for North Sydney Bears before a stint with London Broncos in Super League in 2007. Craig is a qualified Economics Teacher, having completed a Bachelor of Economics, Diploma of Education and Teacher’s Certificate in 2000. 2 years later he began his coaching career with the developing squads at Manly having obtained his Level III Coaching Certificate (ARL High Performance Coach), and followed that up as New South Wales Under 16s coach. Most recently, he was the understudy to Rick Stone, assistant coach at Newcastle Knights.

"Craig is an outstanding, young, forward-thinking coach who has impressed everyone at the Knights with his work ethic, report and structure building," Stone said "His unique coaching style and ability to work in a group environment makes him a great choice for Hull KR.

Craig Sandercock, welcome to Hull Kingston Rovers.

As Hudge and Mike Smith set off to Australia to interview candidates for the job, Craig’s name flew very much under the radar. In short, nobody saw this one coming. When the signing was announced, I don’t think anyone knew what to expect from someone few in Britain had heard of. However, Craig points to the professionalism of the board, the thorough interviewing processes, the history, traditional, passion and the future plans for the club that sold Hull KR to him.

Although our new coach is a relatively unknown quantity, having spent his education within the game behind the scenes at two NRL clubs as well as coaching junior players in New South Wales, Craig is showing himself to be a very intelligent and articulate bloke who has a passion for one certainaspect of the game that is current fledgling at Craven Park, youth development. Craig is also a big believer in education, for both the young players and those currently in the first team.

“All I want to see happen is for every kid in Hull, and in particular east Hull, to have a pathway to play first team for Rovers.” Craig Sandercock.

Craig also assured us that he aims to bring in a lot more consistency on the field, something that may have been lacking from Rovers over the past two years. Having signed a 2-year contract with the option of an extra year, Craig has already highlighted the imperativeness of putting into place structures necessary to give Hull KR the best chance of being successful over a long period of time.

One part of his persona that is and will continue to endearing to the supporters is the his openness about what we can hope to expect from him and the team, and his willingness to hear what the supporters think and to meet as many of us as possible.

At the recent fans’ forum, Craig was asked about the captaincy, to which he replied: “who do you think?” And although he won’t be as quick to tell you about which players he is interested in signing, the initial signs are that the fans have taken to the bloke immediately.

Having met the Craig already and heard him speak about his background, his initial thoughts on the city of Hull and of the club, I can’t wait for him to get started. But he won’t be budged on talking about transfers, that is for sure.

“Never give up. Prepare yourself the best that you possibly can to give you every chance of making it.”

I still stand by every word I've ever said in support of a man I always refer to as 'The Gaffer'. I think he has been a revelation for our club.

I am one very happy Robin!

[CherryPie]

He seems to be doing a very good job at Rovers so far. Hopefully that will continue. He does whinge an awful lot but at least this very good run of form has eased that a little.

[HKR AWAY DAYS]

With him coming from a really good background in the game, I think he has higher standards than many probably appreciate, which means he comes across as a bit of a whinger.

Those who have worked with him down under hold him in high regard.

[CherryPie]

I think he seems to be a very good coach and he's doing well at present, he just seemed to spend most of the post match interviews having a go at the ref whenever you lost a game. Perhaps he's just not quite used to our crap refs

[billie joe]

Credit to the fella he is doing a very good job at Rovers and Dobson is probably the form scrum half in the comp at the moment in which Sandercock says should be playing in the NRL,high praise indeed.

[Farmduck]

If a coach is brought in mainly because of his commitment to, or expertise in, youth development, I think the Board should always make that clear to the fans. If the Chairman announces some specific development plan (and backs it up with cash) then I think fans are more realistic in their expectations. I'd rather follow a mid-table team with a plan and some signs of development than follow a mid-table team whose only ambition is to stay a mid-table team. Regardless of Hudds' recent performances I think Nathan Brown has shown the fans that they should be aiming higher and expecting to be regular finals contenders. If Sandercock can deliver a largely home-grown team that can make the top 4 within 3 years he will be a major success.

[LambertandWebbler]

away days I think you need to calm down...there are ups and down in any season...tendencies to get giddy on an up are likely to result in you being carved up on a down period...

pre season you got carved up...easy tiger..

[HKR AWAY DAYS]

On the contrary, I am happy because my expectations are been met. It isn't just the current run of form, but the season as a whole. I think I have a decent grasp on where or whereabouts we will finish and so far I think he is delivering. I'm honest in my appraisal and realistic too.

[LambertandWebbler]

let me suggest you and jools get married...

you could entitle your wedding "positivity in unison" ....drink some wine, eat venison, and then Jools can do a speech droning on for 72 minutes about how nice Brown's jackets are...using key phrase such as "jerry" and "lawro"

[HKR AWAY DAYS]

I've seen her picture on Twitter and I'm all over it.

Your invite is in the post. Better hurry up though, forced marriages are due to be outlawed in Britain!