The Kenya Cup recently caught up with Australian coach Mike Bishop who was recently in the country offering technical support to Kakamega based side Kabras Sugar.
Bishop played club, representative and professional rugby union and rugby league over a period spanning 14 years.
Speaking about his visit to Kenya and subsequent engagement with Kabras Sugar, Bishop said, “This trip came about as I was in Nairobi for the Safaricom Sevens with the Australian team Iconz. That is where I some officials from The Kenya Rugby Union. I asked them to keep me informed of any coaching opportunities to do some coaching in Kenya and that is when they put me in touch with Ray Olendo from Kabras Sugar Rugby who arranged my trip.”
Bishop still has a coaching commitment with Sunnybank in Brisbane, Australia where he coaches the forwards and ruck, tackle and defense with Sunnybank Premier Grade.
“I was only here short term this visit to instill some coaching and game management protocols for Kabras. They have two capable coaches in Anthony Ogot and Edwin Achayo who will oversee the coaching for the rest of this season. I hope to be back for preseason to assist with the Strength and Conditioning.”
Giving his assessment of Kabras, Bishop observed, “The Kabras boys are committed and disciplined and are very willing to learn which makes my job much easier. The club has some good initiatives and planning in place that should see Kabras Sugar Rugby as a power in Kenya Cup for many years to come. We have been working on many aspects of the game and giving the players a better understanding of all the options in different game situations so that they can make the right decisions on the field.”
“My main focus also has been to help players with their Nutrition, Training and Game Management and we have put some structures in place to assist with this. The players been very receptive to this. I must say that their fitness levels are quite high and their work ethic is admirable and full credit for this must go to the players, Ray Olendo and their coaches (Anthony and Edwin).”
When it came to matters Kenya Cup, Bishop said, “Whilst I haven’t seen many teams play in the Kenya Cup, Kabras, in my opinion are a good side but they still could improve dramatically and become a very good outfit. I haven’t seen too many weaknesses in the individuals who are playing in the Club. It is more a case of teaching them new skills and techniques and reinforcing their current skills.”
“There is so much potential in Kenya with Rugby in my opinion generally, but more emphasis needs to be put into (Coaching, Physio (Sports Med), S&C and Referee) education for the game to continue to grow and thrive in Kenya. I have enjoyed my time in Kakamega and I thank Kabras Sugar Rugby and Kenya Rugby for the opportunity to do some coaching here,” he concluded.
Coaching History and responsibilities:
1996-1997
Head Coach ‘South Burnett Thrashers’: Kingaroy, Australia
Inaugural club premiers 1997 in Wide Bay Rugby Union A grade division
1997-1999
Head Coach Wide Bay Senior Representative side: Australia-Inaugural division winners in Queensland Country competition
1999
Head Coach ‘Wexio’: Vaxjo, Sweden 7’s, 15’s 10’s for men and women’s teams
2002-2003
Head Coach South Burnett Rugby Union: Australia- A grade semi finalist
2005-2006
Head Coach Darling Downs Senior representative side: Australia -Runners up in Queensland State Championships 2006
2006-2008
Consultant Coach Kredo 63: Odessa, Ukraine
Professional Super League Rugby
Inaugural championship winners 2007; Runners up 2008-2009
2007-2009
Head Coach National Sides; Ukraine
Head Coach for Ukraine Men’s Sevens side – participation in professional tournaments and European Championships
1st Place European Games 2008
Benidorm Professional Tournament Winners 2008
European Ranking 6th in 2008
Implementation of first women’s national sevens side – progressed to 1st division European Championships within two years
- Responsible for selection and development of players across men’s and women’s teams
- Provision of programmes: strength and conditioning, nutrition and dietary advice, personal player development and training programs
- Management of staff to assist squads in match preparations and tournaments attendance
- Provision of rugby union coaching in schools
2009;
Consultant Coach: Tunisia
Rugby World Cup Qualifier Tunisia versus Namibia November 2009
Provision of pre game consultation and post match game report
2010;
Head Coach Queensland Country under 20’s
Forwards coaching strategies and game plans
Representative side, Country versus City game to be played September 2010
Head Coach Queensland Outback Barbarians
8 match undefeated tour of the United States of America, April-May
Coach “Aussie Legends “(Australian Sevens development team). Gold Coast International, Noosa, and Sri Lanka seven tournaments.
2011;
Attack and backs coach, North Brisbane Rugby Union (Premier Grade).
Head Coach Queensland country U/19. City Vs Country
Head Coach Greece National Rugby sevens. Divisional championships Riga July 2011
Head Coach Greece National fifteens. Including record 47-7 win over Bulgaria.
2012/2013;
Head Coach North Brisbane Rugby Union, including Premier Grade Head coach and Club Director of Coaching.
Head Coach Junior Gold Cup u/15 (Brisbane Orange) National Junior Competition.
2014/2015
Sunnybank Premier Grade.
Responsibilities; Forwards, Ruck, Defence, Analysis and Game planning. Runners up 2014.
Accreditations;
Level Two (1997) and smart rugby compliant.
Queensland Reds and Wallabies advanced coaching seminars
“ Stade Tolousian “ Invitational Coaching experience ( 2012 )