DHL Stormers succession plan in action
The DHL Stormers management have been given the best chance to make a smooth transition this season through a well-planned and carefully integrated succession plan.
DHL Stormers Head Coach Robbie Fleck has been working with his reshuffled management team since early November 2018, with the likes of Riefaat Jappie (Strength and Conditioning), Norman Laker (Defence Coach) and Dawie Snyman (Assistant Coach – Backs) included in the set-up for the first time, bringing fresh ideas and energy to the group.
With John Dobson confirmed as DHL Stormers Head Coach from next season and currently offering specialist coaching on breakdowns to both professional teams at Western Province Rugby, Fleck has been able to collaborate with Dobson in his planning for the future.
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The 2019 Vodacom Super Rugby campaign will see the two work closely in order to ensure that the DHL Stormers deliver both this season and in the future.
Western Province Rugby Group CEO Paul Zacks said that, contrary to inaccurate and misleading reports in the media, Fleck and Dobson have been working closely together for the good of the franchise over the past few months.
“Robbie Fleck is in his fourth season as DHL Stormers Head Coach this year and I am very excited to see what he and his new management team can produce.
“Both Robbie and John Dobson have bought into this succession plan; which they have known about for some six months now,” he said.
Fleck said that he will continue to do everything in his power to ensure that the DHL Stormers achieve the best results possible.
“After four years in the role it was always my intention to vacate the Head Coach position at the end of this season. This was planned months ago and I am looking forward to supporting John going forward.
“We have worked very hard over the past few years putting together this group of quality players and thus are very excited about what we can achieve as a squad and a management team this season. At the same time, it is also stimulating for me to work with John and help prepare him for what we all know will be a major challenge,” he said.
Dobson said that he is excited about the collective effort that will go into ensuring that the DHL Stormers reach their potential both this season and beyond.
“It is fantastic that we are all on the same page about what we want to achieve both this season and beyond and I am grateful to Robbie for helping make the transition a smooth one,” he said.
Zacks also moved to dispel irresponsible reports that suggest there is an issue between Dobson and Paul Treu.
“It is unfortunate that elements in the media see fit to be divisive with allegations such as these. There is a good relationship between Dobbo and Paul and I am excited about the new structures we have put in place. We are all committed to working together for the greater good, and to the benefit, of Western Province Rugby and will continue to do so irrespective of negative and malicious media reports,” he said.
