Rugby Australia turn to sailing guru to oversee performance structures
Australian sailing was far from the Olympic gold medal machine it currently resembles when Peter Conde responded to an SOS in 2005.
Without a medal in Athens a year earlier, the program’s funding and future was at stake.
So the former elite sailor-turned business strategy consultant went to work.
Two golds and a silver came in Beijing, before three gold and a silver in London were much celebrated after a rough start in the pool failed to yield a single Australian gold.
Three silvers and a gold in Rio were collected a year after Conde had left the program for the AIS, where he remained until earlier this year after another two-gold effort from Australia’s sailors in Tokyo.
“It was an important turnaround after 2005, when sailing was going to lose its funding, and it shows what can be done,” Conde told AAP in his first interview since joining Rugby Australia in the new position of chief performance officer.
“Going to London with four medal opportunities and coming away with three gold and silver was amazing.
“Australia as a team hadn’t been that successful … they sent 11 Australian TV crews to spend the last half of Olympics with us (at the sailing venue) … they were under these instructions to go to sailing and don’t leave, and we don’t have to normally deal with that.
“We took over the local pub, all the locals loved our team… it was a pretty special turnaround.”
Conde’s appointment at RA last month was made official on the same day new eligibility laws for Australian selection were announced.
It was a low-key arrival he said suited him.
“Maybe (my appointment is significant), but I’d rather do something and see the outcomes than just talk about it,” he said.
No more than a fan of the code since attending GPS powerhouse Brisbane State High School, Conde explained he is far from a straight swap for departing director of rugby Scott Johnson.
Instead he’ll use his broader experience to assess the competition, coaching and playing structures from top to bottom, which includes the return of a second division he described as a “gap that needs filling”.
There will also be a focus on attracting and retaining emerging talent, ensuring the ideal picture of what rugby can offer is painted.
He said maximising commercial opportunities for the country’s best players would help keep them onshore, but that the appeal of big-money foreign deals were “just another opportunity rugby affords its players”.
Conde’s enjoyed worked closely with Wallabies coach Dave Rennie, identifying some “gaps” he can help fill around servicing players’ individual needs and creating synergy with Australia’s Super Rugby Pacific clubs.
“Myself with broad high performance and business knowledge really needs to work hand in hand with a coach who is the real deal at the highest level,” he explains.
“I spent quite a bit of time with him (Rennie); I like the way he thinks, the way he approaches player development, they way he develops relationships with players and building culture.
“This is a fresh challenge, but my experience at the AIS is important.
“We really transformed the way we worked with state institutes into a genuine national institute network (as part of the inaugural National High Performance Sport Strategy).
“They all had their own leadership and governance, but we found a common set of principles … that’s quite a parallel with how Rugby Australia needs to work with Super Rugby clubs.
“Australia wouldn’t have been successful as it was at Tokyo if we didn’t have a really effective network working together and the same would be true for the Wallabies, ultimately.
“We need to work together … realise we’re not just competing with each other, but against the the rest of the world as well as the different codes of footy.”
Comments on RugbyPass
South Africa rarely play Ireland and France on these tours. Mostly, England, Scotland and Wales. I wonder why
1 Go to commentsIt was a let’s-see-what-you're-made-of type of a game. The Bulls do look good when the opposition allows them to, but Munster shut them down, and they could not find a way through. Jake should be very worried about their chances in the competition.
2 Go to commentsHats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
1 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
1 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
2 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
23 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
2 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
21 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
1 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
2 Go to commentsWhy not let the media decide. Like how they choose the head coach. Like most of us we entrust the rugby system to choose. A rugby team includes the coaches. It's collective.
13 Go to commentsHi NIck, I have been very impressed with him and he seems a smart player who can see opportunities which Bobby V _(who must be an international 6_) doesn’t see or have the speed to take advantage of. If he continues to improve and puts on 5kgs then he could be a great 8. He is a bit taller than Keiran Reid at 1.93m and 111 kgs, so his skill set fits his body size and who knows where it will lead. I hope the spate of Achilles tendon issues have been dealt with by the S&C people. It’s been a very long time since Mark Loane and Kefu stood out at 8. The question is will we be able to hold onto him, if he does make it he will be pretty hot property. I disagree with the idea of letting them go to the Northern Hemisphere and then bring them back.
21 Go to commentsBilly Fulton 🤣🤣🤣🤣 garrrmon not even close
13 Go to commentsDoes the AI take into account refs? hahaha Seriously why not have two on field refs to avoid bias?
23 Go to commentsVern challenging this Blues side might be the edge they need to fulfill their potential. Convincing results from strong D and strong carries are hard to argue against.
1 Go to commentsLove seems to add a strong back field defense with speed to close the gap and tackle to his ability to attack, kick and pass (an accurate long pass). This sets him an edge over some of the other names - JRK in particular. Has to be said that Jordan and Stevenson have also been exposed defensively while Love has yet to face test match intensity. Spoilt for choice.
1 Go to commentsHe’s strung together a few strong seasons, I’d like to see him in the ABs and build some depth along with Reiko and ALB. Levi Aumua hasn’t taken the step we hoped to see but time yet.
2 Go to comments