SCOTT Coleman and older brother Darren talk footy most days. Login or signup to continue reading Post-game debriefs. Pre-match rev-ups.
Overseas phone calls in the middle of the night. They trade ideas, analyse each other's performance. A caring word.
A reality check. Anywhere, anytime. Now, the siblings have combined forces at the Hunter Wildfires.
After three years in charge of the NSW Waratahs, Darren Coleman is the new director of rugby at the Wildfires. The Wildfires, where Darren started as a player in 1995, beat off other Shute Shield clubs and overseas interest for the respected mentor's signature. He will oversee the entire program and be in charge of the Shute Shield side.
Scott, who has been at the helm of the club since its return to the Sydney competition in 2020, will remain as coach, working under his brother. "The main motivators is to come and work with people I care about," Darren Coleman said. "Scott and I talk footy all the time.
Scott and the crew have done a great job. They are swinging hard and have laid a base. "I will add a little bit of professionalism, demand a little bit more from the playing group and the staff.
Hopefully that will give us that little bit extra we need to get wins. "I genuinely believe the Newcastle and Hunter region has so much football talent. I would love to help it realise its potential.
" Club president Brett Sutherland hailed Coleman's arrival as a significant appointment for the Wildfires and rugby in the region. "It has been in the making since Darren's exit from the Waratahs," Sutherland said. "There was interest in him domestically and overseas.
Lifestyle and his connection to the region worked in our favour. "The beauty about having Darren and Scott work together is that that are very aware of each other's skill set. "The expectation on Darren is significant as it is on the Wildfires.
The board, the coaching staff, the whole program will be under scrutiny and increased expectation. That will drive us. We want to try and win the competition within three years.
" Coleman has previously guided Gordon and Warringah to Shute Shield titles. "I have always liked going to clubs which hadn't won a championship and being the first to achieve that," he said. "Coaching is coaching.
I don't think there is too much difference. Players will rise to the levels you push them to. I have always had good success in the Shute Shield by making a program as professional as possible.
If you want to play here, you have to be committed and train hard. "Newcastle is a happy medium between Sydney and the bush. The cost of living in Sydney and other things can be tough for a young footballers.
This might be a good place to launch their career. Players are looking to become professionals, whether it is in Super Rugby or the multitude of professionals leagues around the world. If you have the talent and are willing to work, we will have the program to get you there.
" As well as in the Shute Shield, Coleman has coached in Italy, Canada and the USA. The Waratahs opted against offering Coleman another contract after his injury-ravaged side finished last in this year's Super Rugby Pacific competition. "I had a lot of thoughts and discussions around what was my next move," Coleman said.
"With a young family, I didn't really want to move out of NSW. My plan is to come here and do really well for three years, set this place up for continued success and sustainability. "Hopefully, the levels above will see the good work I have done and want to grab me again.
" The Wildfires, after making the finals for the first time in 2023, struggled under a crippling injury toll to finish 10th this season. "The first job is look over what is working well," Coleman said. "Squad-wise, we just have to get more depth.
"I really want to make sure we have more Hunter people playing for the Wildfires. "There are great training facilities here through the relationship with Newcastle University. "I came to a couple of home game this seasons and got a feel for what it was like.
I got visions of No.2 Sportsground being full. If we can go close to filling it with passionate rugby people, it would be cool to be a part of.
"I watched a lot of the junior state championships and the Wildfires were strong. There is lot of talent there. We have to make sure we provide programs right through that pathway for them to stay and become the best they can be.
"The crux of it is, we want Newcastle kids to reach their potential and we would love if they did it in their home city.".
