| INTRIGUE IN NATIONAL TEAM COACHING ROLES | |
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On June Monday 15th June URU secretariat advertised all national team management posts at all levels from U16 to the senior Rugby Cranes for both men and women. What raised most eyebrows were the stiff minimum requirements for the jobs. We reproduce a copy of the job advert below: Uganda Rugby Union Member, International Rugby Board (IRB)Member, Confederation of African Rugby (CAR)Member, Rugby Football Union of East Africa (RFUEA) 5th February, 2010 ADVERTISEMENT FOR NATIONAL TEAMS MANAGEMENT VACANCIES The Uganda Rugby Union is a body mandated to regulate all rugby activities in Uganda under the National Council of Sports Act of 1964. Following the recommendation of the Technical Committee, we would like to invite applications for the following positions for all National Teams: 1. Head Coach2. Assistant Head Coach3. Team Manager4. Team Doctor5. Team Physio The National Teams referred to above are the U16, U19, U20, National 15s and 7s Teams (Men and Women). The minimum requirements for the Head Coach and the Assistant Coach are IRB Level 2 Coaching Certificate and Level 1 for the other positions. Sealed applications should reach the union not later than 5th March, 2010 and addressed to: The Secretary, Uganda Rugby Union, P.O.Box 22108, Kampala. Uganda Rugby Union Secretariat, Lugogo Tennis Club, Lugogo Bypass, P. O. Box 22108, Kampala, UGANDATel.: +256 41 259280 / Fax: +256 41 259280 / Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view itThe aforementioned un referenced official communication on Union letter head was written on 05.02.10 and distributed by the secretariat email on 15.02.10.It appears the Executive committee endorsed recommendations from the Technical Committee to have mentioned posts advertised after every two years. Interviews are to be conducted this Saturday 13th February but it appears some jobs have already been promised to some individuals while some vacancies have not been applied for.
It is good news to see we have now set up a national team structure for U16 with an impending inaugural trip to the prestigious Coca Cola Craven week competition in South Africa. I am a bit skeptical about the U20 structure as it does not make any sense in Uganda's situation especially with few player numbers. Possibly an U23 structure that can switch with a Uganda A team would make more sense to give continued international exposure and game time to former U19 players which in turn will curb rushed capping of inexperienced youngsters at senior level a recent phenomena that has completely destabilised Uganda's Irb world ranking .It appears for now URU TC has finally realized the importance of the systems and structures that produced the CAR 2007 African Champion winning team. Many of those players went through the pre-senior structures before making the Rugby Cranes and that is arguably the greatest Rugby Cranes team to date. Something does not seem to add up in regard to the job advertisement. The minimum requirements cannot be met by 90% of the rugby fraternity in Uganda. URU Technical Committee are aware of these limitations so one wonders what prompted them to set the bar so high with the knowledge these requirements cannot be met by many? Have we as Ugandans become so complex we only believe team management must come from beyond borders? Blundering Foreign Coaches A look at the back ground of foreign coaches the last 2-3 years does not make for good reading. David Dobela a South African seconded by SARU to help Uganda became a laughing stock in East Africa after he twice failed to defend big 1st leg leads in Elgon Cup and was known to tinker with national team selections over a beer with friends at Kampala RUFC. He was in charge when Uganda won CAR but many attribute that cup victory (incredibly won without player allowances) to the high performance training at Loftus Park in South Africa . Dobela failed to command player respect and many felt he was more of a development coach than a shrewd tactician with experience to manage a national side. Chester Williams part 2 was a flop as it was some leap of faith by URU to expect him to do wonders 2-3 weeks before a major RWC qualifier especially with a new team of novices. All it did was actually make Chester look terrible on his second coming with even the players undermining his input as head coach. After the elections a deal was struck as an appreciation for supporting the incumbents in URU; Kenyan Ham Onsando was rewarded as a replacement to Chester Williams .Ham's claim to fame in Uganda was guiding Entebbe Mongers to a respectable 5th position in their maiden season in the top flight league. He was subsequently positioned for bigger things when he was named coach of franchise side Rwenzori that finished 3rd in the inaugural BRSS, that in addition to loyalty and friendship with the newly elected head honchos at URU was enough to guarantee him the national team job. There was also the issue of the non extension of his work contract in Uganda and in effect Ham was unemployed and is rumoured to be still jog hunting to date. Unfortunately he too could not stop Uganda’s continued dismal performance in the Elgon Cup even after a decent away showing in Nairobi and Uganda hosting the 2nd leg for the first time.Ham conspired to name a very defensive team at home in Kampala when we were chasing the aggregate score and the game plan was based on defense! What kind of coach chasing an 8 point deficit decides to accord Irb 7's stars too much respect and defend at home in 15's rugby!
A consultative visit by 2 SARU technocrats recommended Uganda does not need foreign coaches at the moment but need to build capacity and quality in different categories from physios, local coaches, referees, weight training, strengthening of the different leagues, age grade structures especially the juniors etc I guess the part of 'foreign coaches' was forgotten. Grape vine has it URU is still happy with Ham's services and have already assured him the job of national team head coach on a rolling 4 month contract basis complete with all perks accorded to predecessor Chester Williams. Should be some respite for a man supposed to be job hunting. Now let us look closer at the other job applicants, their qualifications, experience vis a viz the requirements for the job. As earlier mentioned many in the local rugby fraternity do not meet the criteria hence it is assumed if we are going to go foreign then at least let us get it right. Ham’s coaching days in Kenya were he was a former national team 7's coach were long gone before he came to work in Uganda. Make no mistake he is well liked and appears to be a very good motivator but his coaching skills are suspect. Mongers progress in the league has been remarkable but they seem to have no defined structure and make very naive mistakes making many question their grasp of the laws of the game. Ham Onsando seems to belong to a past regime which am not sure are ready to handle the dynamism and challenges of the modern game. Kenya has an abundance of coaches and no there is no mention of Ham Onsando as a top coach and neither has he coached a team since he left Uganda.If we are too head hunt in Kenya why not look at people like Mitch Ochola who has transformed the skinny Leos into a competitive outfit, Gordon Anampui , Paul Odera etc Ham has not yet completed his Irb level 2 certificate (a requirement for the job),so one wonders what exactly URU is up to? Are goal posts now going to be shifted contrary to the requirements? Are candidates with Irb level II work in progress now to be considered behind closed doors? Why not mention that in the job advertisement? Can URU not run a straight forward and transparent job interview with bungling it? More questions than answers. As it stands now even before Saturday's purported interviews it appears Ham Onsando has been appointed Head Coach Uganda Rugby Cranes. The other 2 applicants are Herbert 'Herbo' Wafula and Big Sam Ahamya. Long serving coach the amiable Yayiro Kasasa has finally thrown in the towel and will no longer be part of the Rugby Cranes coaching team.
Herbo most qualified but likely to be ignored or given a soft landing
Herbert Wafula who is a former URU Country Manager is a certified Irb Educator/Trainer, has vast experience both locally and internationally as a coach and administrator. He has coached national team 7's both men and women, Pirates, Impis, Victoria franchise and currently Kobs at club level. He was also a highly decorated player winning the first MVP award, captained Impis, Rugby Cranes and helped mould Pirates into a club that has now broken into the top 4 in the league. He also played for Kobs and Impala in Kenya. His CV is too extensive to list here and on paper he is arguably the best candidate with solid international experience to coach a national side but sometimes what you see is not what you get. Working against Herbo is his myriad of past disciplinary issues that though served maybe used against him. Secondly it appears that Herbo is no longer in the same political camp with his former colleagues who now firmly run URU,URRS,USRA and anything to do with rugby in Uganda. He is in the wrong camp and as such maybe ignored lest he becomes a trouble maker if he does not tow the political line. The fact that Herbo handed in his application even in the face of such odds must have surprised even the interview panel .It is unlikely URU will allow Herbo near the 15 a side senior team, he at best will be given a soft landing some where else.
Big Sam blue eyed boy of the powers that be but loathed by players Enter KRUFC Vice Chairman and practicing lawyer Sam Ahamya(Managing partner Ahamya & associates) the blue eyed boy of the head honchos in URU. Big Sam is an accredited Irb level II coach, current assistant coach at Pirates(though seems to be the head coach) and has coached the Men's U19's and women's 15's at national team level. As a player he has a rather dodgy record as he attended the prestigious Namilyango College -kings of high school rugby-but never touched a rugby ball! He was a late learner of the game, ended up playing with university side Impis, Ruga Ruga and eventually Pirates. He was coach when Pirates won their only trophy the 2007 Uganda Cup against Kobs which appears to be the highlight of his coaching career. He did not represent Uganda internationally as player. Big Sam who has been hitherto forwards coach has played his politics correctly, comes from the right club and is very much the blue eyed boy of the current regime. In him they will have a firm grip on what happens in the national team .He is expected to deputise Ham Onsando as Assistant coach. Unfortunately Big Sam has the unenviable record of his coaching skills being despised by most players who have passed through his hands, including his current team at Pirates. Nevertheless one cannot deny the fact that many internationals passed through his hands during his tenure as U19 coach. Unfortunately just like the clueless David Dobela players have no respect for his coaching skills. Can he handle the very hot seat of the Rugby Cranes? I think not , so do many others but it is not for us to decide especially when it appears it has been cast in stone. This in amateur rugby is surely an accident waiting to happen. It may work in South Africa with Jake White but RSA is a fully professional first tier rugby nation. I wonder how a senior national team player feels being coached by someone who was cheering him from the stands in high school ! This will be an interesting selection. CWG's wild card invitation become's Lutakome's poison When the national team 7's coaching post was advertised 2 years ago only Ronnie Lutakome applied. After allot of procrastination he was grudgingly accepted but not after a member of the TC strongly insisted he must be appointed in acting capacity. Ronnie Lutakome is another interesting character who has had his fair share of past disciplinary issues and served his punishments. He featured for the national 15's and 7's teams and was the player coach for the Kobs 7's and 10’s squad. He is also among a select few players who have played rugby for over a decade. He is the incumbent 7's coach but with Uganda earning a surprise CWG's 7's wild card invitation it was obvious the swords were going to be drawn with his head on the chopping block. The often ignored game of 7's had been handed to him with a long term goal of RWC qualification in 2012 but he is unfortunately a victim a surprise CWG's invitation. Forgotten is the 2012 target now everyone one is fighting for the big stage of the CWG’s in typical fashion common among most sports unions in Africa. That team to the grand and high profile tournament needed to be handled by another close ally of the regime. Also working against Ronnie Lutakome is the fact that he had not yet completed his Irb level II coaching course and I guess he realised it was now a technical checkmate and so he did not re-apply for his job. Infact our sources reveal no one applied for the job. This gives URU a chance to make an executive decision by appointing another loyal disciple, enter former 7's coach and national 15's men's Captain John Byuma Musoke. So John Musoke is a front runner with Herbert Wafula who might be given a soft landing after the disappointment of the 15's side following suit.
20 coaching vacancies vis a viz only 4 qualified locals! Uganda currently has only 4 Irb certified level II coaches;Helen Buteme,Bobby Musinguzi,Sam Ahamya and Henry Musoke.Currently Henry Musoke is in charge of the women's 15 a side together with Bobby Musinguzi,while Sam Ahamya is an assistant with the men's 15 aside. Why URU set those bench marks for 20 vacancies when there are only 4 qualified locals beggars belief! The minimum conditions set cannot be met by most of locals and neither can URU finance foreign personnel (besides dear Ham Onsando of course) so what gives? Any sensible person would probably give a 3-4 year ultimatum to have interested persons accredited from Irb level 1-3 such that at the end of that grace period the TC has a big pool of qualified personnel to make informed appointments. Unfortunately up until this year the invitations for Irb coaching courses have not been well communicated. If memory serves me right every annual rugby Rugby calendar planner from the URU secretariat used to have fixed dates indicating the date and location these course would run but now one is bombarded with group email informing interested persons to turn up for a training course 3 days after receipt of the email.
We shall be watching keenly and will return to URU's appointments and hopefully they can explain how they arrived at such decisions considering some glaring inconsistencies are already evident.
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Comments
the referees are not standard and the continuity wasnot there at all even the schools league was much better organised.
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