Coaching Profile - Josh Philpot
Pathway & Performance Manager, Victorian Rugby Union
Coaching/Officiating experience. How many years have you coached/officiated?
Seems like a much shorter time, but this is my 14th year of Coaching. I did some refereeing back at School in Sydney, but so long ago it hardly counts – although I have dusted off the whistle recently again – apologies one and all!
What are your qualifications (coaching/officiating level)?
Lucky enough to be on the Level 3 Coaching Course at the moment, Level 1 Assessor and also Referee.
How did you get involved in refereeing/coaching?
Started coaching whilst I was playing as the club simply needed more bums on seats and continued to do it throughout my playing days – purely cos I enjoyed it and found it helped my footy. Multiple trips to the orthopaedic surgeon finally convinced me to stop playing and since then I have thrown my energy into coaching. Now I enjoy it as much as I used to enjoy playing.
Your officiating / coaching career highlight?
Couple highlights. From a purely coaching point of view was winning the Second Grade Premiership in Sydney 2006. Damien Hill at Sydney Uni gave me the chance 8 weeks into the season to take over the 2nd Grade which was coming 9th at the time. I was nervous stepping up from 1sts Colts given the expectations, but winning that year was certainly satisfying.
Next one was having the opportunity to help Bill Millard set up a culture down here in Melbourne, as part of The Rebels. It is a rare gift to be able to say you helped create a culture and the way the boys over performed on the field and have remained tight off it… Just very fortunate to spend time with such quality blokes.
Your future coaching / refereeing aspirations?
Funnily enough – similar to when I was playing. I would love to use Rugby as a vehicle to see different places, meet different people and open up doors that are a little off the beaten track. I enjoy spending time with players and assisting them to take opportunities that they may have, at the same time getting thrown different challenges of man management. As part of this I will always want to take the next step – whatever step that will be up the ladder– and high on that list is winning a First Grade Premiership with a good bunch of boys in either Sydney or Brisbane.
What attracts you most to being a State Coaching/Refereeing Manager?
The opportunity to work with the best players in the state from U16 – Seniors and provide these blokes with a better environment to make their mark on Australian Rugby. The hope is that we can make the half dozen players that get picked up by clubs and academies interstate each year grow into a dozen of, a score of, half century of players.
Most difficult aspect of your coaching/officiating position?
Dealing with the resources, or lack thereof. It is frustrating to have to fight for the things that I have taken for granted for so long – week in, week out. Access to training grounds, gyms, players that are motivated to train and work hard. Being in a state where Rugby looks like a word written in hieroglyphics makes it…challenging as well.
Coaching / Officiating idol/role model? Why?
We were very lucky as part of The Rebels preparation to spend a week with the Crusaders last year and I cant think of a better man manager to emulate that Robbie Deans. His relationship with the players and the environment he creates. A sensation. It would also be pretty hard to go past my old mate, The Rock, Bill Millard. Having been mates with him for years after meeting in South Australia, having the chance to play, party, work and learn off him is pretty handy. He is a great example of what hard work, a fair chunk of nous and great rapport with players can achieve. No doubt he is going places and he is a great example to coaches trying to make it in the evolving world of professional coaching.
Best advice you could give a new referee / coach ?
Work with the players and find out what they need to be successful. Once you have that, you have a fair template on what your direction needs to be. Don’t over complicate things for your benefit either…
Other interests aside from Rugby?
Getting out and spending time with friends is a big one. Moving to Melbourne has given me the chance to spend time some quality old mates – which happens less and less these days. I like having a hit of golf, playing touch when the knees allow, and then chilling with a book and a bucket of wine, if I am not out having dinner with my girlfriend.
Favourite Super 14 team/favourite player?
Been a Tahs man for ever now, but since spending time with plenty of blokes who are Red through and through with the Rebels, I now want to see them win as well – I know, I know.
Fav players running around at the moment - That Kankowski bloke from the Sharks would make my side, as would some little known bloke called Nick Evans. I might even let him kick…
