BY KAT PICKFORD [Marlborough App]
After 10 years of pursuing crims, Matt MacDougall has swapped his police dog for a rugby ball to slot some life goals.
The 34-year-old father of two grew up in Marlborough and played club rugby for Central, before switching to coaching the seniors.
He shifted to Christchurch where he trained to become a police officer, and worked his way up to be a dog handler. His four-legged partner was a fearless German Shepherd named Jag, trained for the job by Matt.
Matt shifted back to Blenheim with his family in 2016, where he continued dog handling for the Blenheim Police for a couple of years. When he saw the role of Marlborough Rugby Development Officer for the Tasman Makos advertised, he jumped at the chance to get a start in an industry he's held a lifelong passion for.
He started his new role in January, with a wide range of responsibilities including logistics of Lansdowne Park, working with schools to encourage participation, and improving players and coaches skills and knowledge, as well as managing preseason courses for coaches and managers and organising school holiday programmes.
"I'm so excited about my first season, and really looking forward to working with coaches and players to help improve their skills, and provide some support and new ideas," he says.
So far around 70 players aged between 11-13 have attended his Catch Pass clinics. Skills camps like these are for players of varied skills and abilities, as well as for talented young players who are keen to upskill or who want take a shot at rep level rugby one day, he says.
"It's a big step up from school or club rugby, so it's important for players to prepare and be ready for that step - I'm really wanting to bridge the gap with Nelson in this area."
He's also excited about the prospect of developing women's rugby in Marlborough, in conjunction with Tasman Women's Rugby Development Officer George Vance. The Girls Only initiative will start rolling out in schools later this year, aimed at introducing females to the sport, and to help develop and improve their skills and knowledge in an environment where they will feel comfortable and supported.
Sideline behaviour has been in the spotlight in recent years, and even though it's not an issue in Marlborough, initiatives such as APPLAUD and training for coaches and managers ensuring everyone is on the same page, he says.
"Personally, I haven't found it to be an issue in Marlborough. Sure people are passionate and some can get pretty excited, but I've never heard of it spilling over into bullying or violence."
"It is something we keep on top of. We share ideas on how to deal with any negative spectator behaviour, and set the standard so all coaches and refs know what to look out for and how to respond appropriately."