Back
A Fond Farewell to Coach Brett
John Byrne6 May 2021 - 09:28
Our loss is Ealing Trailfinders gain as Brett begins a new adventure with Ealing Trailfinders
As all good things must come to an end, we find ourselves having to bid farewell to our Head Coach, Brett Wilkinson. Brett joined as Head Coach of the Seniors section whilst still under the HKCC umbrella in 2017, and it would be an understatement to describe the environment back then as being in a state of flux. Unperturbed, Brett went about his business in his typically understated manner, managing to cobble together whatever resources he could muster to ensure we could at least compete on the pitch. Although suffering from a high turnover of players, Brett was diligently assembling a strong, cohesive support team around him that would prove crucial in the longer term.
The first season in Sandy Bay colours brought no immediate joy however, with our Prems losing every game up until Christmas, albeit by tight margins. It was testament to the man himself as well as the players and coaching staff around him, that heads were not allowed to drop, nor excuses permitted. What happened next will surely go down in Sandy Bay folklore. Following a comprehensive 48-28 victory against the then league leaders after Christmas, confidence began to assert itself leading to a succession of wins that not only lifted us from the foot of the table but allowed us to climb into a play-off spot. The semi-final away at Hong Kong Football Club will be remembered as much for the sheer volume of support emanating from the Sandy Bay supporters as it will for the heroics on the pitch that day. Wild scenes of jubilation led some to suspect we were celebrating too early, but Brett would not tolerate any such complacency. On a cold, wet and blustery night at King’s Park, Sandy Bay emerged victorious in an absolute arm-wrestle of a game which saw us lift the Grand Final Trophy aloft on our first attempt, cementing Brett’s legend at the club, and also seeing him pick up the Coach of the Year award.
It is with a heavy heart but with sincere best wishes for the future that we say goodbye. Brett is taking up a position as Head of the Academy for Ealing Trailfinders next season in a role that will see him heavily involved in first team coaching as they lock horns with the likes of Billy Vunipola and Owen Farrell. We wish Brett and his wife Patrice all the best for their next adventure in London, and from all of us at the club: thanks for the memories Coach.
The first season in Sandy Bay colours brought no immediate joy however, with our Prems losing every game up until Christmas, albeit by tight margins. It was testament to the man himself as well as the players and coaching staff around him, that heads were not allowed to drop, nor excuses permitted. What happened next will surely go down in Sandy Bay folklore. Following a comprehensive 48-28 victory against the then league leaders after Christmas, confidence began to assert itself leading to a succession of wins that not only lifted us from the foot of the table but allowed us to climb into a play-off spot. The semi-final away at Hong Kong Football Club will be remembered as much for the sheer volume of support emanating from the Sandy Bay supporters as it will for the heroics on the pitch that day. Wild scenes of jubilation led some to suspect we were celebrating too early, but Brett would not tolerate any such complacency. On a cold, wet and blustery night at King’s Park, Sandy Bay emerged victorious in an absolute arm-wrestle of a game which saw us lift the Grand Final Trophy aloft on our first attempt, cementing Brett’s legend at the club, and also seeing him pick up the Coach of the Year award.
It is with a heavy heart but with sincere best wishes for the future that we say goodbye. Brett is taking up a position as Head of the Academy for Ealing Trailfinders next season in a role that will see him heavily involved in first team coaching as they lock horns with the likes of Billy Vunipola and Owen Farrell. We wish Brett and his wife Patrice all the best for their next adventure in London, and from all of us at the club: thanks for the memories Coach.
Further reading