Hear from 2024 Dewar Shield Head Coach Masi Tuistala
✅ How was your 1st Season as Head Coach of Dewar Shield?
⚪️ Very enjoyable! Season 2024 started way back in November 2023, we had anywhere from 9 to 40 player during preseason. What I am grateful for is that no matter what our numbers were like during preseason, come Round 1 through to Round 14 we were able to field teams in all 3 Grades.
✅ Did you see this as a Rebuild Season?
⚪️ It wasn’t a Re-build Season for Rams; it was more setting the Foundation for seasons ahead to be honest. A rebuild is bust down and clear out – This year was more of…, know what we have, welcome what is new, and trust in what I felt is best for the team and club.
✅ Top 4 for 1st grade is that a surprise & the other grades placing?
⚪️ No not really, we did make it by the slimmest of margins! However, halfway through the season we knew it was possible, even right up to Round 14 we knew!! A few new faces in the squad and returning players meant we just needed time to get things right. Our 2s and 3s a tough season, through injuries and unavailable players it made it very difficult to build momentum. But again we saw this season out. Overall we need to improve and we will!
✅ Highlights of 2024?
⚪️ Senior Rugby at Rams played a very important role in hosting some great events at the club this year.
• Machon Samu’s 200th 1st Grade Game. A Legend of the club and a loyal member of the Rams Family
• 1st Pasifika Round hosted by the Club against our Brothers – Endeavour Hills – A huge turnout of probably the Biggest of the year for us.
• Noa Noa’s 100th 1st Game against a very proud Melbourne outfit and to honour a great son to Moorabbin Rugby.
✅ What’s the plan for 2025?
⚪️ The one thing that is very important now is that Players, Coaches, and Volunteers enjoy the break with Family and Friends and reflect on a very enjoyable, successful season on and off the field. In 2025 we will take the learnings from this season and try our best to be better in all 3 grades. We want everyone at Moorabbin to have a good experience on and off the field.
I leave you with a Samoan Proverb that I shared with OUR players this year!
" E le sili le ta'i, nai lo le tapua'i". People supporting are just as important as those who are working.
THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT
Masi Tusitala
HEAD COACH 2024
