Former Kings Super Rugby Defence Coach and Physio back
By derrick@eprugby.co.za
With the Kings return to Super Rugby looming on the not too distant horizon, a few familiar faces have returned to the Kings coaching staff as they begin the preparations for the 2015 season.
Defence coach, Omar Mouneimne, who played a crucial role in making the Southern Kings one of the toughest teams defensively in the 2013 competition, has once again taken up the role of defence coach, and has already begun training with the 2015 Vodacom Cup squad alongside Vodacom Cup head coach, Mzwandile Stick.
“It is wonderful to be back and to be part of the preparations for the Kings return to Super Rugby,” he said.
“We achieved great things in the build up to Super Rugby, going undefeated in the Currie Cup in 2012 and achieved so much during the Kings debut Super Rugby season and it is really a privilege to be back and to be able to contribute,” he said.
Mouneimne said there was a lot of hard work ahead of the players ahead of the Vodacom Cup and Currie Cup season.
“We have a lot of hard work ahead of us, with a strong focus on improving our technical levels. We have a great group of players that need to work hard, stay humble and aim for excellence on the field,” he said
Former Southern Kings physiotherapist James Fleming has also returned to the EP Kings structures as Head of High Performance, with the focus on overseeing the Strength and Conditioning, Physio, Rehab and Medical departments and reporting directly to Head Coach, Carlos Spencer.
“I loved my previous experience being a part of the Kings structures and the lifestyle here in Nelson Mandela Bay. So, when the opportunity arose to come back and help build towards the Kings re-entry into Super Rugby, the lifestyle that Nelson Mandela Bay offered our young family played an important factor,” he said.
“It is really a great opportunity and I’m very excited to be back,” he said.
Fleming said his role would entail streamlining the interactions between the various departments under him to provide better support to both players and coaching staff.
“The aim is to ensure that the high performance departments provide the coaches with better conditioned, healthier players and ensure that there are as many fit, able bodied players available at any given time. This is achieved by providing the players with the best possible support in both their conditioning and throughout any rehabilitation they may require,” he said.
After leaving the Kings in 2013, Fleming was based at the Sharks, where he fulfilled a coaching role, which he feels has given him valuable experience that can add to his new position at the Kings.
“I learnt a lot from the Sharks and have a new understanding of what coaching staff require from the players, which has given me new insights that will be beneficial in this new role,” he said.
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