Jim McKay has found his perfect coaching fix at the Noosa Dolphins…a proud rugby club needing a lift, stalwarts to rely on and a good wave never far away.
It’s a rare thing to find a well-credentialled rugby coach willing to step back from professional rugby and offer his skills to a club in the regions.
McKay’s posts with the Queensland Reds and Wallabies as an assistant coach over the past 15 years have put him at the cutting edge of attacking ideas.
He’s brought all that wisdom to the Noosa Dolphins this season. It’s made a difference too.
The Dolphins missed the semi-finals altogether last year yet are lining up in Saturday’s Sunshine Coast Rugby Union grand final against the University of the Sunshine Coast Barbarians.
“It’s been terrific reconnecting with a club at community level and very encouraging to see the game’s health at this level,” McKay said.
“We had a recent game where 18 of our 22 players who got on the field had junior backgrounds with the Dolphins. That’s real connection to your local club.
“Challenging, frustrating, very enjoyable…it’s been all of that this season.
“The commitment from the guys has been great but you also can’t forget blokes are working jobs and dealing with other commitments too.
“We’ve had some good excuses for missing training. ‘Backpacking for the next two weeks with my girlfriend’ is probably my favourite this season.”
McKay may have had senior coaching roles but his resume also includes playing or coaching stints with England’s Cornish Pirates, Warringah and Randwick.
He’s dusted off some old school values at the Dolphins and pitched in his own home-spun ideas Ted Lasso-style.
“We’ll do speeches after games, stay at the opposition club for a beer, train as one club with A grade and reserve grade together…I believe in that stuff,” McKay said.
There’s a theme with so many beachside clubs in his history.
“Ok. I do like to surf although it took a thick wetsuit when I was with Cornish Pirates,” McKay said with a laugh from his base at Alexandra Headland.
Every club needs a rallying point.
It may have come last weekend when veteran winger Nat Forrest (pictured above with ball) scored on full-time to tie the scores in the preliminary final against Brothers Sunshine Coast.
Flyhalf Joey Caputo, a barista during the week, put the perfect crema on top with a conversion from the sideline to win it.
The Dolphins can now chase their first grand final victory since 2020 when they drive to the home ground of the three-time champions from USC Barbarians.
“Guys like Nat and Jake Serax, our veteran prop, add so much value to the team, especially in games like that,” McKay said.
Landscaper Forrest is 35. Serax is closer to 38 but still going strong off the bench with his experience for Queensland Country and Switzerland coming to the fore.
“Jake is a real stabiliser. He’s a bit like the essence of the Dolphins and you feel everyone lift when he’s on the field,” Forrest said.
“Jim has been a big part of this season. To have a coach of his calibre with his up to date ideas has been massive.
“He also really connects with the guys on an individual level.
“I’ve been playing with the Dolphins since I was six-years-old or so. I think it’s how much our supporters and volunteers put in and how much everyone cares that gets me coming back.
“And, you don’t get many rugby clubs surrounded by national park at a location like we have so, yeah, a great club.”
