Sunshine Coast Grammar School is pleased to announce the appointment of Troy Atkins to the Head of Rugby position at the School in 2022.
The position held by Dan Robotham has been much sought-after in the rugby union community with the continued growth and success of the Rugby programs at the school in recent years. The Sunshine Coast Grammar Rugby 1st XV took out this year’s prestigious Ballymore Cup and their 1st XV teams have won the Sunshine Coast Secondary Schools Rugby Union premiership nine times in the past ten years, more premierships than any other school in the history of the competition which dates back to 1988.
Over the past 15 years, the Grammar Rugby program has also proudly produced two Australian Wallaby players in Blake Enever and Tate McDermott as well as many international rugby 7’s representatives and state players. Mr Robotham will be stepping down from the position at the end of 2021 but will return to a Pastoral Leadership role at the school. He will continue to contribute to the Grammar Rugby program.
Mr Atkins’ breadth of experience in the coaching arena spans from junior club and school teams, representative teams with the ACT Brumbies junior teams and senior club premier teams, including ACT Brumbies Development Officer, Gungahlin Eagles Rugby Union Club Development Manager and Assistant 1st Grade Coach and Director of Rugby with the Gungahlin Eagles Rugby Union Club.
The Canberra born and bred recruit has plenty of high-profile experience to add to the existing coaching team and is passionate about developing and nurturing young people in the sport to reach their full potential on and off the field.
Mr Atkins has taught at Gungahlin College, leading the Talented Sports program for Rugby Union and League athletes and was also appointed as Head Coach of the ACT Schoolboys Rugby League team for four years from 2017-2020, before moving to Daramalan College taking up a position as a physical education teacher, pastoral tutor and Head Coach of the Daramalan College Rugby Program.
Along with his stellar coaching experience, Mr Atkins also holds a Bachelor Degree in Coaching and Exercise Science, Graduate Diploma in Education and a Graduate Certificate in Fitness.
Mr Atkins’ says his coaching philosophy is to create a strong culture and build sustained excellence across the school.
“I value the opportunity and recognise the importance of connecting sport with education and alignment of rugby programs with core values and behaviours. I am looking forward to working with the school and community to continue to build a strong rugby program where players aspire to be a part of a great culture.”
Mr Atkins strives to develop an innovative, supportive and effective player centred environment that unleashes athlete’s physical ability, technical skill, tactical and strategic abilities so that they can achieve their best and make a positive impact to the teams that they represent.
“In being selected to fill this position I plan to lead a broad and professional rugby program that will challenge and support all players, including skills acquisition, talent development and performance preparation.”
Sunshine Coast Grammar Rugby has flourished under the direction of Dan Robotham and the school acknowledges his many years of exemplary leadership, passion and expertise in building the program from the ground up to where it is today.
Mr Atkins is excited by the opportunity to lead the rugby community at Grammar and will join the coaching ranks alongside former All Blacks player Hosea Gear and former Sunshine Coast Grammar student and Australian Wallaby player Blake Enever to develop the next generation of rugby talent in the region.