Jan Venter believes the platform he has built at Dubai Exiles can be used by replacement Jacques Benade to take the club “to the next level”.
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Venter stood down from his head coaching role at Exiles at the start of June, with his fellow South African to take the reins at the Middle East’s oldest rugby club on July 1.
Venter took over three years ago, making no secret of the fact that the club at the time were in “chaos”.
The affable Venter stepped up from the club’s youth ranks to sort out a senior outfit that was in a mess.
At the time he took the role, players were skipping training sessions, even games and the whole club lacked structure and direction. The glory days of yesteryear had become a forgotten chapter in the history of the Exiles.
Slowly, he started to turn the tide, re-installing traditional rugby values of discipline and camaraderie.
Eight players attended his first training session, while today the number of senior players hovers around the 60 mark.
Dubai Exiles RFC are delighted to announce the appointment of Jacques Benade as they’re new Director of Rugby with effect from 1st July 2015
— Dubai Exiles RFC (@DubaiExiles) June 2, 2015
“Exiles men’s team were not in a good place. The club was in a bit of chaos,” said Venter, reflecting on when he took charge.
He had been at the club five years, coaching the mini and youth section as well as the Under-16s and U18s prior to taking the big job and setting about installing the regime that exists today.
“The club needed to get back the ethos of camaraderie and discipline,” said Venter.
“We were very successful in doing that. We have not lost one first team player (in my time) to another team in Dubai. The only players who left were the ones who went on to bigger and better things.”
The first to admit his role as coach arose out of pure love for the game as opposed to technical knowledge, Venter sang the praises of the incoming Benade, who has coached professionally in Northern Ireland with Malone RFC of the All Ireland League Division One.
“Exiles have got to the stage where they need a top quality, professional coach to take them to the next level, and I believe Jacques is that guy. I believe he is the man to return the club to its glory days,” said Venter.
.@DubaiExiles hope Jacques Benade will build on Jan Venter’s good work: http://t.co/UCMKB6Bqee @MattJones360 pic.twitter.com/jfl3TXLxlU
— Sport360° (@Sport360) June 6, 2015
“He is a professional coach, it is what he does. He is a rugby guy through and through. He is the director of rugby and will have a big impact on the club as a whole, not just the men’s team.”
Despite his departure, Venter is not leaving the club. He will assume a new role as commercial director, assuming responsibility for matters such as marketing, finances and, crucially, player recruitment.
Player of the season Rynardt van Wyk has left, along with two others for fresh challenges in France, so Venter knows time is of the essence in terms of bringing fresh faces into the club.
Former UK Harlequins centre Tosh Masson, who was also involved in the England Under-21 set-up, has already arrived, as has South African fly-half DuRandt Gerber, who has Currie Cup experience in his homeland and also played for seven years in Italy, even gaining one cap for Italy A.
Venter is not satisfied though and will be scouring the market over the summer months for new bodies, especially forwards, in a bid to help his replacement get the Exiles back into the Gulf Top 6.
“We have a core of decent guys there now, but it is still not enough in my opinion,” said Venter.
“We definitely need a few more, especially in the forwards. A replacement for Rynardt is needed. That is my job now and I’m looking forward to it.
“My three years as coach were extremely enjoyable, I loved every moment, and I was never going to leave the club. Even if the job hadn’t come up I would have looked to join the committee and be involved.
“I wish Jacques all the best and will back him 200 per cent. Let’s hope the guys can perform a bit better this year.”
