Testimonials
David Kirk, New Zealand All Blacks World Cup Winning Captain
"I coached Mike Umaga for two years when he played for the Wellington
province in the New Zealand National Provincial Championship and against
touring international teams, including the Springboks in 1993. Mike was an important and valued member of the playing fifteen.
He played primarily at full-back where his aggressive defence, safety under the high-ball and excellently timed running into the backline made him a key player on defence and attack. Mike also played on the wing as required by injury or team balance.
More important for me as the team coach was Mike's leadership contribution. He was constantly talking, encouraging and pushing his team mates to do better. The team was relatively young and inexperienced and contained a number of players who were in their first season of high-level rugby. Mike helped me as the coach to "set the standard" for performance in training and playing as young players learned what it meant to step up to a higher level of performance expectation.
Mike has always been thoughtful and innovative in his approach to the game, creative and aggressive, and above all, a team man, who puts team success ahead of personal advancement. He always gives his best and expects the same of those around him. "
Simon Brocklehurst, Club Captain. Nuneaton RFC. National Div. 2
Mike has a huge wealth of personal experience which he uses to get the best out the individuals and teams that he trains, and he knows what it takes both physically and mentally to compete at the highest level. He uses the newest techniques in his training and always tries to vary the content of sessions to keep things fun and keep you on your toes. One of the best things about his coaching is that he has massively high expectations and demands 100% from you every time you train, which is vital if you want to improve as a player.
Mark Nasey, Director of Rugby. Warwick School, Myton Road, Warwick, CV34 6PP
Mr Mike Umaga has been employed at Warwick School for two rugby seasons as a ‘specialist rugby coach’. In that time we have found his technical and tactical knowledge to be outstanding and his ability to work with the boy’s and staff at the school to be exceptional.
The specific roles that Mike has undertaken include team coaching (1stXV & Under XV); positional specific clinics including goal kicking, scrum half and back three; video analysis of both our own teams and competitors; strength and conditioning; and as an assistant to other age groups and staff as required.
Mike has a positive demeanour with the boys and demonstrates the ability to modify training sessions and team tactics fluidly as required by player ability and team performance.
He played an important part in the 2006-07 Daily Mail U18 Cup win at Twickenham with his specialist coaching with goal kicking and scrum halves and his assistance in analysing the opposition and ourselves.
Mr. Willie Whitesmith, Kenilworth RFC. Midlands 1
Mike first came to KRFC when he was appointed coach at Coventry Rugby
Club. He lived close to the ground and brought his kids down to the
minis and juniors section on a Sunday. Being the brother of the All Blacks
captain this created great excitement around the club and he ended up playing for
our fourth XV, collectively known as PAG's LAG's, in the odd exhibition game
throughout the season. He was guest speaker at a Sporting Dinner held during the
Lions tour to New Zealand. He always threatened to bring his brother Tana (and other notable All Blacks) down to the club but unfortunately this never materialised, the nearest we
got being a photo of Tana in a KRFC shirt.
When Mike left Coventry in the latter part of 2006 KRFC gave him the opportunity to resurrect his playing career and help KRFC gain promotion. His first game for Kenilworth was on a wet and windy afternoon at Camp Hill and reality set in – Midlands 2 rugby! Mike continued to play and coach Kenilworth through to the end of a highly successful season, the best in the club’s history, and Mike contributed 51 points (five tries, seven cons and four pens)in the 10 games he played. KRFC were crowned Midlands 2 west champions and regained their rightful place in Midlands 1. Mike's final game for Kenilworth was in the Warwickshire Cup final which ended in a disappointing defeat to Broadstreet.
With the club's blessing Mike ran a Rugby Camp from the club during a school vacation and this was very well received by those who attended and were involved in it.
Although Mike is now coaching at Nuneaton he is still to be seen at the club on a Sunday morning and is a great attraction to the younger members.
We look forward to the day that he finally persuades wee brother Tana, Jerry Collins and others to don the blue and yellow of Kenilworth, sorry PAG's LAG's.