If it wasn’t for injuries, Beau Robinson wouldn’t have moved back to Dubbo.
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But now the former junior has returned home he’s determined to restore rugby in the city to its former glory.
Robinson remembers a time when he would see the Dubbo Kangaroos overflowing with players across all grades so it pained him to learn the Roos are battling to field a third grade side in 2018.
Getting that side back, and helping the Roos become a genuine premiership force in all grades again, is what led Robinson to take up a role in the club’s new-look coaching program.
“Pride, tradition and success. That’s the three big things,” he said of what Dubbo rugby makes him think of.
“But we (Kangaroos) have probably gone away from that a little bit. I remember a time when there was four grades and two colts sides so to hear they might not fill third grade is frustrating and disappointing and I want to rectify and change that.”
Robinson enjoyed a stellar playing career which included a Super Rugby premiership, Wallaby camps and stints playing in Europe.
But when he suffered another knee injury during his time with the Doncaster Knights in England he was forced to hang up the boots and look for the next opportunity.
“I’ve travelled around a bit and moving back to a city like Sydney or Brisbane doesn’t appeal to me and obviously I’ve got family and friends here,” he said.
“That support network has already proved beneficial after so much moving.”
Robinson met with fellow Roos coaches overnight to run over the finer details of how the coaching program will work this year.
It’s part of a massive change for the club with Robinson to work alongside the likes of Vince Gordon, Gerald Webster and Dean Matthews as the Roos embark on the first year of two tier rugby in the Central West.
The Roos will play in the top tier alongside Orange sides Emus and City, Bathurst Bulldogs, Cowra Eagles and the defending premiers, Forbes Platypi.
“Ultimately, I won’t be doing that much of the drills and game plans. I’ll be overseeing everything and have more of a focus on club performance rather than teams,” Robinson said.
“I’ll be in charge of structures and systems for the coaches because we want that streamlined throughout all the grades.”
The whole process has left Robinson “excited” for the season and he said the panel approach will leave individual coaches with less on their plate. It will also allow coaches to specialise in certain aspects of the game and work together.
“That (premiership) is the ultimate goal,” Robinson said.
“If everyone gets on board and is willing to take it on then I’m quite confident we’ll see the results.”