DAN’S THE MAN!
New Wicklow RFC coaching team announced
DAN van Zyl has expressed excitement at being appointed head coach of Wicklow RFC, after being named on the new management set-up alongside Paddy Thornton and Wes Wojnar.
Last week, Wicklow RFC revealed its coaching team for the 2020/21 season. Dan van Zyl – the former South African international scrum-half – was named as the new head coach, while Paddy Thornton was appointed forwards coach, and former captain Wes Wojnar was named skills coach.
Speaking to the Wicklow People about his new gig, van Zyl said that he was eager to get started at Ashtown Lane.
‘It is a club that I always had dealings with when I coached Leinster Youths for about 10 years,’ he said. ‘There were always good, young players coming through and so on. I know quite a few of the guys within the club, even guys who would have coached with me.
‘I didn’t contact Wicklow. Somehow, they heard that I was available and looking for a club and contacted me. In fairness to Brian (Clarke) and Jason (Watson), they were excellent. We got a deal done and I will be coaching here for, hopefully, the next three or four years.’
In van Zyl, Wicklow have a head coach with plenty of pedigree. After starting his coaching career in Ireland in 2002, he enjoyed stints with Clontarf, Dundalk, Old Wesley, and most recently, Naas. In addition, he has coached at provincial level with the Leinster under-19s, Youths, and women’s sides, while also spending time with the Irish Youths and Students teams.
Having attained his fair share of experience over the past 18 years of coaching, van Zyl that supporters can expect a refreshing, progressive style of rugby.
‘My biggest asset, I guess, is always creating a good environment. All of the clubs that I have been with in Ireland, I have taken them and improved them. That’s probably my main strength, improving a team. The other thing is total, total rugby, if you can call it that.
‘I don’t want to box players in. Everyone is a decision maker. My weakness is probably that people say that I never kick. My teams hardly kick because I believe, with ball in hand, you can put more pressure on opposition. It will be a style of play where we hold the field. Everyone is a decision-maker, everyone is accountable. We try to keep the ball alive as much as possible.’
Paddy Thornton, from Rathfarnham, played all of his rugby in Terenure College school and rugby club. The back-row forward has been capped for Ireland under-18 Schools, Leinster under-18s, under-19s and under-20s. Last season he captained Terenure’s first team in the AIL and also captained their J1s and under-20s.
He worked as Club/Community Rugby Officer with Leinster Rugby and Terenure RFC for two years. He is currently teaching and coaching rugby in Terenure College.
‘I can’t thank Terenure RFC enough for all the memories, opportunities and support they have given me, but I am massively excited to join a very ambitious Wicklow RFC. The prospect of combining my two loves of playing and coaching, embracing a new challenge, and meeting loads of new people along the way is more than enough motivation for me. I look forward to seeing you all in Ashtown Lane this year.’
Finally, joining Dan and Paddy will be Wes Wojnar. Wes has been a part of Wicklow RFC for many years. His name is etched into club folklore as the captain of the first Wicklow team to win the Provincial Towns Cup in 2016.