PROFILE OF NOVA SCOTIA’S BRIAN KRAWETZ
Thursday, April 30, 2009 - Submitted by Chris MacKinnon Bookmark and Share
Born and raised in the small farming community of North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Provincial coach Brian Krawetz played all sports, focusing mostly on hockey and football.
Being too young to play high school football and on the suggestion of his father, Brian first stepped onto the rugby pitch at age 14 with the Senior Men’s North Battleford Bulldogs.
Brian continued to climb the ladder representing the SRU in provincial U17, U23 and Sr. Men’s sides until his move to university where he fronted for the Saskatoon Gophers.
On to Winnipeg in 1993 where Brian become a member of the University of Manitoba Wombats and later the RCSL team the Manitoba Buffalo.
From there he became head coach of the Lady Buffalo squad in the Rugby Canada National Women’s League.
2008 saw Brian move to Nova Scotia to become the Provincial and High Performance Coach for the Nova Scotia Rugby Union. He both coached and played for the Nova Scotia Keltics Rugby Super League team in 2008 and this year returns as co-head coach with Troy Myers.
Nova Scotia’s Chris MacKinnon sat down with Krawetz to assess the season ahead.
With less than a month to go before the first pre-season game, how is the team shaping up?
The guys are looking really good. Our first intersquad game on the Dal turf April 5th saw 44 players out. A strong improvement from this time last year. Troy Myers and myself have been running indoor and outdoor sessions every Sunday since Christmas with great attendance. The “Representation” of various Clubs has also increased dramatically as we are drawing guys out from all areas of the Province. This is becoming and must continue to be a true “Provincial” team.
Speaking of which, you’re somewhat limited by distance, many players from outside Halifax on the team?
We have players traveling in from the Valley, Enfield, Pictou etc. and want more out as soon as possible. The winter driving did hinder us, but I have confirmation from a number of guys that they will be out now that University is over.
What are the some of your raw materials on the field already? Are you recruiting in certain key positions? Forwards? Backs?
We are always looking for talent. Troy and I don’t care what position you are, we’ll help you to be the best player you can be. I tell the players that my job is to fill their toolbox with the tools to succeed, they have to use them correctly. We are about systems of offense and defense, the set piece is really the only area of forwards and backs. The tools will be there, it is about having guys play with their heart and the pride that comes from wearing a Provincial Rep side jersey. That Keltic crest is over your heart for a reason.
Any big names you can mention? Returning players? Rookies that look good?
There are some new guys that I’ve not seen before that look great. Evan Dickie from Enfield, Ellis Gray from Dal, Graham Stark from Dartmouth. Paul and Greg Forrest from Dartmouth are impressing me with their fitness scores as is Steven Cutcliffe from HRFC. Some of the vets that will help are Darryl Cross and Pete Rose from the Tars as well as Chapman Swaine from HRFC. It’s a good mix of youth and experience.
Are you close to making your first team selections?
We have exhibition games in Montreal Friday May 8th and Saturday May 9th.
Our U20’s and Seniors will play two games each. We will start selections sometime after that. It’s an ongoing process. The 22 who dress June 6th against the Black Spruce in NB might be completely different from the 22 who dress June 20thagainst The Rock in Newfoundland. We need to constantly fight and push for our positions. That is how a winning attitude is achieved I believe.
What are your expectations for the team this season?
Win! I expect us to be in the Atlantic Final. Who we play doesn’t matter. We are not about competing, the Keltics have done that before. We are about resurrecting the initial attitude of the Keltics in the RCSL which was hard nosed, smash mouth, in your face Rugby. We do that and the wins will come. Creating open flow from the set pieces and breakdowns will be the key.
As someone relatively new to the area, what do you see as the biggest challenge to NS rugby?
Not having all of the clubs on board with our overall game plan. However, that is in the past. The clubs have been very supportive since they’ve seen the changing attitudes of the athletes and coaches attending Provincial sessions. We had over 40 people for our Front Row training session at Shannon Park. These were not exclusively Provincial players but people who want to learn more and grow as athletes and Coaches. That has been our biggest success, attitudes are changing.
Looking forward to coaching the ELV’s?
I personally like the ELV’s. I find anything that keeps the game moving and increases the pace is good. Plus, I’ve always hated the line out numbers call. I think it’s a cheap way to get or receive a penalty.
On a more personal note, who is your favorite international team or player?
England and Martin Johnson are my favorites. Though meeting and shaking hands with Paul O’Connell of Ireland when I was with the Rugby Canada National Senior Men’s team on their Autumn tour at Thomond Park in Shannon was pretty cool too.
