Kelly looks for leaders on path to Grand Final
A LACK of leaders on the field was a common complaint by Huddersfield Giants fans last season.
The Claret and Gold were caught up in a relegation battle at the foot of the Betfred Super League, with their place in the top flight only confirmed on the final day of the campaign.
Injury problems throughout the season caused head coach Simon Woolford problems, and meant he had to call on a number of talented, but inexperienced players in terms of Super League.
However, with young players often comes naivety, which was evident in some games last season.
Seasoned pros would be the answer to address the lack of direction and leadership.
But Giants’ newly-appointed rugby manager, Andy Kelly, believes that to lead, you don’t necessarily have to have played countless games, you simply have to believe in the values of the organisation and age is not a factor.
“Leadership is so important and it’s not necessarily about playing loads of games and playing at the highest level,” he told the club’s website.
“Sometimes leadership is living the values of the club and the ethos of the organisation with everything that you do.
“There’s no age on that, you can come in on day one and live those values and be a leader within the group”
Kelly – who says his new role sits between managing director Richard Thewlis and head coach Woolford, has set himself goals for success in 2020 as Huddersfield look to win their first title since 1962.
“I think we’ve got to be in a better place,” he said. “Have a better understanding of what hard work, a better understanding of our responsibilities as coaching staff, as rugby managers, even the volunteers have to understand that there is a relationship with the club that means everyone has to be signed up to the values of our organisation.
“If everyone’s got a better understanding of what’s expected of them, we’ll have a good start.
“Longer term, we need to ask the big question – when are we going to play in a Grand Final and when are we going to win a Grand Final?
“We’ve seen with Salford in 2019 what a conjoined effort from a group of players can achieve.
“That might happen next season, it might happen in three years – but there is no reason why we can’t achieve that goal.
“If we’re working forward rather than standing still and falling back, there’s no reason why this can’t be a great club.”