MOOAR’S EMOTIONAL GOODBYE TO FANS:
DEPARTING Scarlets head coach Brad Mooar has sent an emotional farewell message to the fans as he leaves the region.
On Christmas Eve last year, it was confirmed that the Kiwi would join the All Blacks’ coaching staff under new boss Ian Foster, completing just one of his contracted three years at Parc y Scarlets.
The region have received a compensation package and since appointed Glenn Delaney, brought in by Mooar last summer as defence coach, as their new head honcho.
On Wednesday, the region finalised Mooar’s departure by confirming that he won’t be in charge of the team when rugby restarts.
During his time at the Scarlets, Mooar has earned praise for the way he has connected with fans of the region on social media, posting regular video messages.
And that is how he sent his final farewell message, having been denied a send off at Parc y Scarlets by the coronavirus pandemic. “Shwmae team,” he began. “I’m just up near Hendy’s highest point and I was thinking about the year that’s been, the footy that’s been, the people we’ve met and what’s ahead for us at Scarlets.
“You know now, that when we reassemble, we’ll do so under next year’s group and that means eight players and three staff won’t reassemble with the Scarlets for now.
“We say farewell to some fantastic people who have put in some magnificent service to our great club.
“We’ll also welcome some new people in due course.
“I want to wish the team, Glenn, the staff, the club all the best for what’s coming.
“I know that you’re really excited and it’s a great group of people to take our great club forward.
“For those that are moving on, all the best as well. It’s exciting times. For some, uncertain, but there will be opportunities that will present, I’m sure, for all you outstanding people.
“To the club and fans, what can I say? Absolutely magnificent. What a great group of people, that love the game and love the club.
“When I think about some different moments and fun times, I keep getting drawn back to conversations that I was having with the one and only Phil Bennett at different stages.
“His stories always relate to people. It’s the people and not the moments of the game that are really important and what keeps us going in this great game of ours.
“The relationships, the people first and then the game, results and performances can follow.
“He still gets it and that’s the type of attitude that we, as a family, have loved seeing in our time here.
“From Anna, Laura, Charlie, Sam, myself and Dave the dog, we just want to thank you for a wonderful opportunity that we’re really grateful for.
“To have met some outstanding people, to have sat in the seat leading this outstanding club for a while and to now see it kick on and go forward under Glenn’s leadership is really exciting for us.
“I think it’s best summed up in a verse that I heard and it goes something like this: ‘In the wake of what’s behind you, let your rugby dreams remind you that your future starts tomorrow and your best is yet to come.’
“Diolch yn fawr. Tra for now.” Mooar leaves the region having guided them to 12 victories in 19 matches in all competitions. They were also poised to face Toulon in the quarter-final of the Challenge Cup last month, a game that was postponed due to Covid-19.