Souths Rugby Union Club has announced the return of Old Boy, Garrick Morgan, to role of Premier Grade Head Coach kicking off the 2023 season.
Garrick brings to Souths a rejuvenated sense of enthusiasm and optimism for the Club.
He describes his coaching style as ‘relationship based,’ which he credits to his long-time friend, mentor and coach, Alec Evans, also a long-time supporter of the Souths Magpies having first coached Garrick at Souths in 1992 and has been a constant influence on Garrick from his earliest playing days.
“Alec has been a massive influence on my rugby career. In particular the way he
understood how to get the best of every player, no matter how different they were,
was inspirational. Teams played for him, knew what they had to do and fully
engaged in whatever he asked them to do. No matter what he asked!”
Alec highlighted out that Garrick was “born to coach.”
“There are many factors that go into making a successful coach,” Alec said, “and
Garrick has all of them. His experience from playing at the very top level to coaching
youngsters new to the game, has given him the full box of tricks. He is tactically
astute in all areas, his man management is superb because he cares about each
individual, his own physical presence brings an almost immediate respect and
underlying all of that, he has that magical coaching secret of being able to transfer
his enthusiasm and energy to those in his charge.”
Garrick returns to home to the Chipsy Wood club after having played Premier Grade for the club from 1989 to 1998. During this time, the Souths Premiers won five Grand Finals and in 1992, Souths created history when 7 players (including Morgan) were selected as Wallabies to represent Australia. The first time any club had contributed 7 players to the Australian team.
Souths Patron and former Wallaby Andrew Slack, remembers Morgan’s early days of representative rugby in Queensland and stated that he has been enormously impressed by Morgan’s selflessness and dedication to the teams he has coached in recent years.
“It is fair to say that Garrick was something of a loose cannon in his early playing
days, but he looked at where he wanted to head and what he wanted to achieve,
and through maturity, critical self-analysis, and sheer hard work, he became a great
player. Since retirement he has used those same characteristics to help young
players become better. He knows the pitfalls, but more importantly knows how to
overcome them and has a rugby nous that I have no doubt will make him a
successful coach wherever he hangs his hat.
Souths are very lucky to have him.”
Garrick’s playing career included 69 caps for Queensland and 24 for Australia, before moving overseas playing in the premier league for Harlequins in England and then Pau in France. Garrick then returned home to Australia, signing with the Gold Coast Breakers before hanging up his boots in 2006.
But rugby and retirement do not go in the same sentence for this rugby heavyweight.
Garrick has spent the past fifteen years coaching at community, school, state, and premier grade level. As a level four ARU coach and Rugby World Educator, Morgan will bring expert coaching skills and considerable experience to Souths.
“The time is right for me to return to Souths. It feels like coming home. I have seen
great potential at the club and am confident that our coaching team will bring out
the best in our premier grade both as players and men. Our core coaching group will
be Graham Herlihy, Ray Thomas, and Darren Rees. All very experienced specialist
coaches. Everyone on the same page with a winning culture and wearing the black
and white jersey with pride is the goal. I’m looking forward to bringing everyone
together to work and achieve that vision.”
“We’ve got World Cups coming to Australia in 2027 and 2029 so it’s a particularly
high-profile time for the sport. For Souths it is a pivotal moment in the Club’s
evolution as we grow and strengthen creating a platform for success for both the
team and individuals. I look forward to welcoming new players during this time.”
I’m honoured to be part of creating the next chapter in the Magpies rich history.”
South’s President, Chris Hourigan: I am extremely grateful to Garrick for accepting the Head Coach role with South’s Rugby Union Club. “Garrick speaks about his values, standards and that is the foundation of his coaching style” – with his long connection to Souths as a player, supporter and now Premier Grade Head Coach, “Garrick is the coach that has the full experience today’s athletics requires to achieve their best and be the best person they can be. That is what I really like about Garrick’s approach, it is so much more than just the player.”
Garrick will lead the coaching team at Souths throughout 2023 whilst continuing in his role as Director of Rugby for Downlands College in Toowoomba and as Vice President Queensland Rugby Union.
He will officially commence his role as the Premier Grade Head Coach in October 2022.
Ian Cameron: camo@southsrugby.com
Souths Rugby Club: info@southsrugby.com
South’s Rugby Union Club
Chipsy Wood Oval
104 Frederick Street
Annerley 4103
Image: Garrick Morgan
Supplied and approved for use
