In his
role as high-performance manager, Stirling will team up with fellow newcomers
Harvey Biljon and Ian Davies to oversee a Pirates' side which will be looking
to put to bed a mixed campaign during the 2008-09 season. With
a fresh and vibrant outlook, not only towards the Pirates - but life itself -
Stirling appears to tick many boxes. Indeed, looking ahead to his first term in
charge, the Kiwi coach has plenty of ideas that he feels can make Cornwall's top
club side into an even stronger force. "I've had to hit the ground
running," he said. "A lot of preparation was done - as best it could
be - back in New Zealand, but, now I'm here and working with the players and with
the other coaches, I'm really looking forward to the challenge ahead. "Already
we've been very busy trying to implement things, as well as talking to the players
and finding out their views on how we can make the 2009-10 season a real success." Stirling
admits initial discussions have proved fruitful, although more detailed dialogue
is set to take place in the coming weeks where, he feels, yet more valuable information
will be gleaned. "Obviously I had a brief snapshot
of things when I came over last year," he added. "It gave me an indication
of what can be done to make the Pirates a success. I was impressed with some of
the things I saw. "Individually the players
were all very keen, they wanted to play and they wanted to develop. From being
here, I saw avenues which, with my coaching and that of the other two guys we've
brought in, I think we can develop even more. "I
know it will take a lot of hard work, but at the same time, if people are pushing
in the right direction, then it can be achieved, and that is our initial goal.
As I said, I thought the ability and the standard was very good, the thing that
was missing last year was consistency. There are a number of reasons for that,
but the raw material is there and that is what we will build from. "My
view is that a team on the field is only as good as the preparations and its culture
off the field - I am really big on that. We'll spend most of the pre-season getting
the ingredients right to make the cake, then we will look to put the cake together
properly. We'll take our time, we won't rush things, and we'll come together that
way." As well as keeping hold of a large bulk
of last- season's squad, Stirling and the Pirates' management team have recruited
strongly during the off-season, piecing together a squad which they feel has all
the makings of being a real force within the division. "I'm
very pleased with how the recruitment has gone," admitted Stirling, who previously
worked with the famous Wellington club back in his homeland. "I think we
can expect a team that is going to go out and perform consistently. I
believe we have a forward pack that is going to provide some quality ball to attack
off, whilst the backs are capable of scoring tries from anywhere on the field.
Our aim will be to try and play a wide and expansive game to the best of our ability." Finding
consistency, however, will be no easy feat for Stirling, Biljon and Davies. With
the standard in the second tier of English rugby improving by the year, this forthcoming
campaign promises to be the toughest yet for the Pirates. "The
Championship is going to demand consistency," said Stirling, a former full-back
in his playing days. "The team that does that and also develops throughout
the season - because you are going to have to do that - will be the team that
achieves the spoils. "I know it's a new
format this year, but it mirrors the club season back home. You have an initial
round and then you go to a top eight. For
me, it doesn't matter whether you finish, one to eight, as long as you make that
eight, then it's a new season again. It's about building momentum as the season
goes on and that's what we intend to do, whilst at the same time trying to be
more consistent." Certainly, no one would argue against Stirling's
outlook on what lies ahead. Today the first seeds of his new reign will be dug
in to his players, who can expect a much different approach to that of previous
regimes at the Pirates. "It's been good talking
to the players about last season," he said. "Already we've got some
information, and we'll use that. From it, some of the boys eluded to the fact
that Camborne was a difficult place to play at. My
response was, if it's difficult for us, how difficult is it going to be for the
opposition? Camborne is going to be our weapon, it's going to be a tool for us,
and we'll use it. We have guys who have played there for a long time and they
know how it works." Stirling also believes that the club's
army of supporters will have their part to play during the coming months. He
remarked: It's an exciting time for all of us, especially
the fans. I was blown away by the support we have coming to our games. My first
game at home was the Leeds match, and the passion and the atmosphere was just
unbelievable. I was told a little bit about
Cornwall and its love for rugby before I came over initially, but it was something
else when I witnessed it first hand."
Thanks To Mark
Stevens & Western Morning News Pix Brian Tempest | 
