The Dyldam Parramatta Eels are excited to bring you our third video introducing our coaching staff - this time our new Under 20s Holden Cup coach, Justin Holbrook!
Justin has been with the club over the past month preparing for the season ahead after joining us from the St George Illawarra Dragons.
The last couple of years Ive been with the St George Illawarra Dragons with their NYC team there, and before that with the NSW Cup side at the Bulldogs, Holbrook said.
So Ive been coaching for about nine years and I really enjoy it, and Im looking forward to having the Under 20s here at Parramatta.
Holbrook says he jumped at the chance to join a club with a passionate and broad fan base as the Eels, as well as a club as well-resourced.
Its a great opportunity to get some full-time coaching, I was doing part-time at the Dragons and also working in their corporate partnerships team so its good to be involved full-time so I can be at all the NRL sessions, he said.
Obviously learning off Brad Arthur and the other assistant coaches is a good learning experience for myself to try and improve me as a coach.
The Under 20s players have so far been back in pre-season training for the past fortnight, with the entire squad being put through their faces.
Weve got a rather big squad which is pretty standard, about 40 guys, and theyre all training really well as youd expect, he said.
But its been a really positive experience from our coaching staff [perspective] as well - its a long way until we play but its all going well.
After a disappointing year in 2013, Holbrook says hes got high expectations of the NYC side for 2014.
Parramattas always been strong in Under 16s and 18s, but havent been so great in the Under 20s the last few years, but theyve also had to push a lot of their young players into the first grade side, he said.
But from a coaching and club perspective wed like to have the 20s team in the semi-finals next year, so thats obviously our goal for next year.
Click here to become a Member of the Dyldam Parramatta Eels for 2014, and show your love for the Blue and Gold!
Justin has been with the club over the past month preparing for the season ahead after joining us from the St George Illawarra Dragons.
The last couple of years Ive been with the St George Illawarra Dragons with their NYC team there, and before that with the NSW Cup side at the Bulldogs, Holbrook said.
So Ive been coaching for about nine years and I really enjoy it, and Im looking forward to having the Under 20s here at Parramatta.
Holbrook says he jumped at the chance to join a club with a passionate and broad fan base as the Eels, as well as a club as well-resourced.
Its a great opportunity to get some full-time coaching, I was doing part-time at the Dragons and also working in their corporate partnerships team so its good to be involved full-time so I can be at all the NRL sessions, he said.
Obviously learning off Brad Arthur and the other assistant coaches is a good learning experience for myself to try and improve me as a coach.
The Under 20s players have so far been back in pre-season training for the past fortnight, with the entire squad being put through their faces.
Weve got a rather big squad which is pretty standard, about 40 guys, and theyre all training really well as youd expect, he said.
But its been a really positive experience from our coaching staff [perspective] as well - its a long way until we play but its all going well.
After a disappointing year in 2013, Holbrook says hes got high expectations of the NYC side for 2014.
Parramattas always been strong in Under 16s and 18s, but havent been so great in the Under 20s the last few years, but theyve also had to push a lot of their young players into the first grade side, he said.
But from a coaching and club perspective wed like to have the 20s team in the semi-finals next year, so thats obviously our goal for next year.
Click here to become a Member of the Dyldam Parramatta Eels for 2014, and show your love for the Blue and Gold!
