The Chatter catches up with Matthew Shaw, coach of TK’s Year 2 Rippa team.
What has been your favourite moment of the season to date?
A favourite moment would have to be our last Rippa rugby game, which we played at Waiuku. A young girl, Seteri, is playing her first season of Rippa rugby and is always shy at training. She managed to score her first try of the season all by herself! It made me and our team manager very proud.
How have the players improved since the first game?
Each and every one of them has improved in their own way. About 95% of the team had never played rugby before this season, yet they can all listen and stay within the rules of Rippa rugby.
Who has surprised you the most this season and why?
I could say the whole team!
Kymani – I had the privilege of coaching him in Year 1 and, back then, he was really shy and reluctant to get involved. Fast forward to this year and it’s a completely different story. His confidence has grown so much. He’s always around the ball, scoring tries, making crucial rips and giving 100% every game.
It’s been awesome watching him develop into such a confident and talented young player and, hand on heart, he is one of the best players in our team now!
What is one thing your team does really well every week?
Listening and focusing isn’t always an easy task for Year 2s, but they have all adapted really well to following instructions. They are also encouraging of each other on and off the field.
What’s the funniest thing that’s happened at training or on game day this year?
The funniest moment would have to be when Kaiser scored a try against Maramarua. The kids were in what looked like a Rippa rugby ruck, in proper All Blacks mode, and Kaiser picked up the ball, jumped over all the kids who had fallen over in the ruck and scored the try. He then stood up and did a victory dance!
Who on the team gives the biggest celebrations after scoring a try?
Rihare – he does a Michael Jackson moonwalk when he scores!
What are you most looking forward to for the rest of the season?
Just seeing all the kids and supporters continue to have fun.
