Q&A with Gaz Carvell

How have you found the transition from player to backroom staff?

What aspects of the game do you miss from being a player and which ones are you glad of not having to do!?

Anyone else?

Has your role changed since Tim sheens left?

The squad seems much fitter this year whats different?

How long before you what to take the jump into head coach?

This is a really good read. Huge thanks to Garreth for taking the time out to do this for us. 


With the U-19s having been disbanded, what pathways now exist for young players to come through the ranks and into the first team?

The pathway at the moment is difficult, there's no doubt about it. We are still running an under 16's scholarship and also run a Btec course from the stadium which allows any players with potential to play in the college league. This season we also have a dual registration with Halifax who have a reserve team. This will allow our players with potential to receive game time and develop their skills and experience. We understand the importance of a pathway for our young players and continue to work hard to create this.

How have you found the transition from player to backroom staff?

I've found the transition from a player to backroom staff relatively smooth. I really enjoy my role at Salford and that has helped enormously. I was concerned that I would struggle with retirement and think I possibly would have had I left the sport completely. Still having quite a lot to do with the players and coaches but not having to train every day certainly makes things a lot easier and enjoyable.

What are your main day to day duties?

My day to day duties vary and to list them would take quite a while so here are just a few. I arrange the logistics for training and match days, organise team events and player promotions, communicate with the RFL on anything regarding the first team from registrations to visa applications, arrange courses and workshops for players and staff, arrange bank accounts, accommodation and vehicles for over seas and new players, offer support and deal with any issues the players or coaching staff may have. Basically anything to do with the first team is my responsibility.

What aspects of the game do you miss from being a player and which ones are you glad of not having to do!?

The aspects of the game I miss the most are the physicality and the contact. I always really enjoyed that both in training and in the games. At the same time my body has taken a beating over the years so I'm also glad I don't have to go through the physicality of the sport day in and day out. Bit of a contradiction but it's true.

Thinking about off-field/backroom stuff, what wish do you have for Salford Red Devils which would have a positive effect on our on-field performance?

The wish from a backroom staff/off-field point of view to have a positive effect on our on-field performance would be for the support to grow for the team and the stadium to be full on match days. The positive effect that would have on players would be enormous and is definitely underestimated.

At the end of last season there were rumours you were heading to Hull KR with Tim Sheens - was that ever a possibility?

I was and still am good friends with Tim Sheens. He's a fantastic coach and a great bloke. I really enjoy coaching and would like to go down that route but the move to Hull K.R wasn't something I spoke about with Tim or anybody at Salford.

Has your role changed since Tim Sheens left?

My role has changed enormously since Tim Sheens left. Last season I was the Head of Youth Development and coaching the under 19's.

The squad seems much fitter this year - whats different?

The squad are much fitter. The conditioners Greg Brown and Jon Kelly have worked really hard over the pre-season to get the boys in fantastic shape, the amount of running the players have done throughout the pre-season is the most I've ever seen. A lot of the players I've spoken to have said the pre-season was the hardest they have ever done but everyone feels great and the injury rate has reduced dramatically.

How long before you what to take the jump into head coach?

My goal is to eventually be a head coach and coach my country but for the moment I'm very happy in my role at Salford. There isn't an age limit on a head coach so I'm in no rush to take the plunge.

Do you have any input in the training of the players at all in a forwards capacity?

With my new role this season I have drifted away from the field work so my input into the forwards is very limited. Willie Poching has also joined the club and his wealth of experience is more than enough. I'm always more than happy to give help and advice to anybody that would like it.

Has Marwan Koukash really mellowed as much as he appears to have?

Marwan will always wear his heart on his sleeve which myself and a lot of people respect him for. As far as Marwan mellowing is concerned, I would say that he is happy and trusts the people he has employed at Salford now and is comfortable with the team both on and off the field. He's a passionate man and isn't afraid to speak his mind but I think with his experiences in the game and at Salford Red Devil's he has learned not every fight is worth fighting.

As an ex no-nonsense style player what's your take on the current spate of ridiculous "contact with the official" punishments?

The contact with the referees is something that hasn't been spoken about officially but once again we seem to be copying the NRL. They made a big deal about it and our referees have followed suit, I'm not sure they realise they are in the Superleague not the NRL. I agree that a player has no need to touch a referee but in the case of Justin Carney I'm not sure the contact could have been avoided. Any man handling, intimidation or intentional contact should be a sin bin or red card but when it's quite clearly an accident then it shouldn't even be an issue. Our game has always had the greatest respect for referees unlike football so I think the whole thing is unnecessary.

Excellent, and thanks. It raises another question though. How is it that Halifax have a reserve side and we don't?

Brilliant that one Alan.

Goes to show a rugby player can be erudite and not need "you know" in every sentence