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David Newman - Time well spent in a truly great club
Michael Gallagher3 Jul 2020 - 17:48
Memories to last a lifetime
He came to Ballina to play rugby for a season. Two decades later, David Newman was still to be found in Heffernan Park, looking back on a myriad of magical memories and recalling some life-changing moments.
On Thursday night, at the club's AGM, David stepped away from his role as First Team Coach following seven wonderful years and those in attendance left him in no doubt as to his place among the greats of Ballina RFC.
"Your time here has been well spent," Club Chairman Alan Rowe explained. "As a player you were unbelievable and as a coach, you will never be touched in the history of this club. What you and your coaching team achieved in the past seven years was beyond our wildest dreams. The stream of cups coming through the door was beyond belief and we literally couldn't have dreamt the dreams you delivered.
"The club built up around you and your contribution will never be forgotten. Thanks for the memories and the best days of our lives."
The Chairman went on to thank all the coaches who had worked with David over the years and had a particular word for JP Leonard who was alongside David for many of the great achievements.
"All the coaches who have worked with David deserve huge credit and their contributions have been crucial. Tonight I would also like to pay tribute to JP Leonard who was pivotal to many of our finest hours. All these men will remain with us in the club and drive us on into a very bright future."
The Chairman's sentiments were echoed throughout the room and after two decades at the coal-face for Ballina RFC, David took a moment to address the meeting.
"I would like to say thanks to everyone who supported me over the years. I came here twenty years ago for a year's experience playing rugby and I'm still here. Seven years ago I was asked to take the coaching role for a year and I'm still here. That says something about the club. It's a hugely welcoming club with a great family-feel to it.
"There's a special spirit here and a sense that everyone stands together. I have received huge support over the past seven years and I'm well aware that nothing would have been possible without everyone pulling in the same direction.
"Of course I always wanted to win, but true success for me was the club creating an enjoyable environment where players come through and play and stay with Ballina RFC.
"We always tried to play an exciting brand of 'Ballina' rugby and our heads never dropped. So many people contributed to our success and I want to wish Ballina well going forward - a truly great club!"
On Thursday night, at the club's AGM, David stepped away from his role as First Team Coach following seven wonderful years and those in attendance left him in no doubt as to his place among the greats of Ballina RFC.
"Your time here has been well spent," Club Chairman Alan Rowe explained. "As a player you were unbelievable and as a coach, you will never be touched in the history of this club. What you and your coaching team achieved in the past seven years was beyond our wildest dreams. The stream of cups coming through the door was beyond belief and we literally couldn't have dreamt the dreams you delivered.
"The club built up around you and your contribution will never be forgotten. Thanks for the memories and the best days of our lives."
The Chairman went on to thank all the coaches who had worked with David over the years and had a particular word for JP Leonard who was alongside David for many of the great achievements.
"All the coaches who have worked with David deserve huge credit and their contributions have been crucial. Tonight I would also like to pay tribute to JP Leonard who was pivotal to many of our finest hours. All these men will remain with us in the club and drive us on into a very bright future."
The Chairman's sentiments were echoed throughout the room and after two decades at the coal-face for Ballina RFC, David took a moment to address the meeting.
"I would like to say thanks to everyone who supported me over the years. I came here twenty years ago for a year's experience playing rugby and I'm still here. Seven years ago I was asked to take the coaching role for a year and I'm still here. That says something about the club. It's a hugely welcoming club with a great family-feel to it.
"There's a special spirit here and a sense that everyone stands together. I have received huge support over the past seven years and I'm well aware that nothing would have been possible without everyone pulling in the same direction.
"Of course I always wanted to win, but true success for me was the club creating an enjoyable environment where players come through and play and stay with Ballina RFC.
"We always tried to play an exciting brand of 'Ballina' rugby and our heads never dropped. So many people contributed to our success and I want to wish Ballina well going forward - a truly great club!"
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