The Brumbies commitment to developing the Women's game in the ACT and surrounding region isn't just confined to the onfield action as the preparations begin for Season 3 of the Super W competition.
Alongside the announcement of Adam Butt continuing as Head Coach of the program last week, the club also announced that former Super W and Brumbies 7s player Ash Kara had joined the coaching team to assist with the team's attack, and in the Academy Development program, including the Brumbies U18 team in 2020.
"I am so ecstatic with this new role that has been offered to me," Kara commented. "It will mean I can access elite level coaching knowledge and learn from the top female rugby union coaches the ACT has to offer in Adam Butt and Damien Tyson.
"I have a very competitive nature and I want to see the team strive to its full potential. Being a part of the attack framework will be a vital part in the process for the success to follow in the 2020 Brumbies Super W Team.
"With this role I am interested in learning from the experienced coaches I will be surrounded by, focusing on set-piece, counter attack and rush defense. I want to expand my coaching techniques from the coaches at the top level and also show them a few ideas I have of my own to interject into the game itself.
"I want to take this experience back to my grassroots in Goulburn and give back to the club and community who have always supported me as a player."
Kara, whose day job is as a schoolteacher in Goulburn, was an ever-present in the first season of Super W, making her debut in the club's maiden match of the competition, the fixture against the Queensland Women's team at GIO Stadium in Canberra.
She started again the following week, against New South Wales in Sydney, before being a replacement against both the Rebels in Melbourne in Round 3 and the final match of the campaign, the Western Force clash back at GIO.
In total Kara played 142 minutes of Super W rugby for the Brumbies in those four outings.
"Having a strong Super W is imperative to the women's game," Kara admitted. "It is the only way forward especially with a World Cup around the corner. The game is becoming faster, more technical and forever growing in its dynamics.
"Super W displays the best athletes the country has to offer with each player fighting for the premiership as well as an opportunity for the Wallaroos jersey.
"I would like to be the type of coach to bring out the best in players/athletes and coach them to their full potential. Having a positive team culture and coaching a team built on the values of respect, accountability and resilience is something I find crucial for team continuity in achieving results.
"I am a skill perfectionist and building a strong support network is key to my development. I believe all these elements are the fundamentals in the type of coach I will strive to become overtime."
As well as being a Brumbies representative at the fifteen-a-side game, Kara is also as well-known for her performances in the abridged version having donned the jersey of both the Brumbies and the University of Canberra in the AON Sevens.
Whilst still raw, and only at the beginning of her coaching journey, Kara has set her eyes on a path that will hopefully lead to further opportunities in these kind of leadership roles.
"As my coaching journey is in its primary stages I have set goals and I am slowly achieving them one step at a time," Kara said.
"These types of roles are essential for the future development of female coaches. In order to grow the game, there needs to be adequate coaches who know the game.
"Having these opportunities are likely to gain more female coaches as well as players wanting to be guided by these coaches who are being exposed to this type of experience."
Do you want to play Super W rugby for the Brumbies? Well now you have the chance to shine as the club holds open trials on Sunday 3 November from 11am to 4pm at Brumbies HQ at the University of Canberra.
To register for trials e-mail Damien Tyson on d.tyson@brumbies.com.au.
DETAILS
Brumbies Super W Open Trials
Sunday 3 November
Brumbies HQ, University of Canberra, 11am-4pm
