Interview with local Jason Parata, Pikiao's head coach, ahead of the upcoming NRL awards and the new season.
"Happy wife, happy life. So if she's happy to be here, I'm happy to be here."
It may have been Jason Parata's wife, Ranui, that brought him to Pikiao Rugby League Club but the rugby league stalwart is devoted to the club he has been a part of for the past 16 years.
Parata is very much the heartbeat of Pikiao and has coached, helped, trained and strapped up many club teams including the juniors and senior men and women over the years.
This dedication has seen him nominated for the Male Volunteer for the New Zealand Rugby League Awards alongside Tony Cuccurullo (Tasman RL) and Shane Price (Mt Wellington RL).
Finalists have been selected in 12 awards categories, with winners to be announced at a function in Auckland on January 20.
Parata, a former Pikiao second team player, said he was surprised to receive his nomination.
"It is quite humbling really," he said. "Getting nominated is a reward in itself but for me the big reward is being part of the club for so long."
Jason Parata will attend the New Zealand Rugby League Awards later this month, nominated in the Male Volunteer category after his dedication to Pikiao RLC. PHOTO/ STEPHEN PARKER
The love for league is very much in the family with Parata's sons Mahi, 25, and Daymon, 24, both former players for the local club while daughter Anahera, 19, is a qualified league referee.
"We certainly are league and Pikiao through and through in this family," Parata said.
Pikiao Warriors had a tough season last year, struggling in the Waicoa Bay premiership, but Parata hopes to change all that after being appointed head coach.
He coached the club's reserve side last season, and said he'd worked hard to earn his new post.
"It's something I've been trying to get for a few years and I've been lucky enough to be appointed this year," he said. "I want to win back the whanau and local supporters to come and support us. It was pretty bare around the field last season whereas five or six years ago we were filled up.
"I don't feel the standard has been good over the last couple of years. I think the club has maybe had a bit of a negative image so I'm just trying to do positive things now."
He said he would bring his own approach to coaching.
"With me it completely depends on the situation. I think all coaches are shouty-shouty at some stage but most of the time I'm pretty relaxed," he said. "What I do know though is I need to get to know the boys well and I think there may need to be more one-on-one and small group coaching.
"Mainly I just want them to enjoy it because if they're happier they'll play better."
It is yet to be confirmed but Pikiao Warriors are set to compete in a newly formated Bay competition.
The side will start pre-season training this weekend with friendlies planned from late next month before the season starts in early April.
"It will be hard and tough but the key to success over the season will be having a fit side," he said. "If the hard work is put in now then we can play with more ease, make those tackles time after time and catch the opposition on the break.
"This is an amazing club to be a part of because there's such a tight brotherhood amongst the players. I want all players here to strive to be the best they can be and I aim to put this side back on the map.
"As a region we need to be pushing as many players through to the Bay of Plenty top level as we can. I know it's hard in a rugby-dominated country but we just need to produce one huge superstar. We do have people from here but they have spent most of their life in Australia - there needs to be locals who make it."
The full list of NZRL Awards finalists is:
Female Volunteer - Alana Lockhorst (The Cooks/Southland RL), Nickie Tane (Mercury Bay Boars/Hauraki District), Dania Wood (Northern Wairoa Bulls)
Male Volunteer - Tony Cuccurullo (Tasman RL), Jason Parata (Pikiao RL), Shane Price (Mt Wellington RL)
