Connacht’s ‘grassroots to green shirts’ mantra driving improvement
GRASSROOTS TO GREEN shirts.
It’s very easy to be cynical about the slogans teams build their off-field culture around, and the fact that Connacht hung a fundraising scheme off the above mantra makes it all the more so.
That said, there is something very real in this particular modus operandi.
Robbie Henshaw is the poster boy for the ‘grassroots to green shirts’ slogan. Source: Inpho/Billy Stickland
Homegrown players wearing the green of Ireland is a strong motivator for Connacht rugby, but having a core of grassroots-developed stars in their own green provincial shirt is also of genuine importance to head coach Pat Lam.
Robbie Henshaw is the strongest recent example of ‘grassroots to green shirts’ from Connacht’s point of view, and his teammates will certainly take some inspiration from his recent outings under Joe Schmidt.
“It’s brilliant and the whole of Ireland can see that Robbie belongs in that team,” says lock/back row Andrew Browne.
“He’s excelled, but then you have the likes of Kieran Marmion training with the Irish team, Nathan White was up there, Rodney Ah You, Eoin McKeon was involved with the Wolfhounds against England in January.
“There are more and more coming through and it’s great to see. It’s testament to the work being done here and the success we’re having.”
Firmly in contention for automatic qualification into the Champions Cup [though nothing is assured] and preparing for a Challenge Cup quarter-final in Gloucester tomorrow, progress has certainly been made.
More Connacht men will target following Henshaw’s international example, but the most important green shirts right now are those Lam’s men will wear tomorrow evening at Kingsholm.
Browne will be in his 10th year with Connacht next season. Source: James Crombie/INPHO
There isn’t a coach in the world who doesn’t understand the importance of having homegrown players drive their team. A core of locals adds guaranteed value to any side, but how exactly do these natives power the collective?
Browne – a Galway man who attended Scoil Chaitríona in Renmore before undergoing secondary education at St. Joseph’s Patrician College [‘The Bish’ to locals] – explains how representing his home province affects him positively.
“First of all, you’re representing your family and your friends. I grew up watching Connacht, watching my brother playing for Connacht. It means a hell of a lot to me and going out every single time on the pitch is a great honour.
An easier motivation for the physical challenges that await it seems, while 28-year-old Browne also points out that there is pressure and “that bit of fear” at being so personally involved.
“You don’t want to let people down, so that kinds of drives it.”
Lam, it seems, has pushed the homegrown motivator harder than anyone, though that impression is likely garnered due to the fact that the former Samoa international is more open to discussing Connacht’s off-the-field culture.
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