Now that the dust has settled on the 2023/24 season, we caught up with Director of Rugby Mike Umaga for his thoughts on a season that ended with six wins from nine games. Five players (Jamie Major, Tom Bairstow, Harrison Astley, Ali Heard and Peter Hudson-Kowalewicz) have also been called up into the Yorkshire squad for the forthcoming Bill Beaumont County Championship. How does Umaga reflect on the season just finished?
“I’d be lying if I said the season wasn’t tough,” Umaga said.
“From when we came in, in January 2023, I think we’ve seen a lot of change and change isn’t for everyone. It was very much needed.
“I look at the first game we took control of and the last game, and the difference in that 18 months is night and day.
“I believe the players have taken that on themselves to work things out on the park and to do it in a manner that befits them as people.
“The first thing Tony and I noticed when we first took over was that to have a good team, you have to be good people. That’s everyone inside the circle.
“And we weren’t good people when we first turned up.
“We feel there is a totally different vibe around the squad in the club and we have finished the season wanting more.
“That’s a good place to be. If you don’t want more out of yourself and your team, then why are you doing it?
“We’ll start having some good chats with some of the boys. Most of them are onboard. A couple are 50/50.
“I think the rugby we were displaying in the latter stages of the season has shown that we are a pretty good outfit.”
So, did Umaga enjoy his first full season in charge of the team in National 2 North?
“I have enjoyed the season. As a coach you always love a challenge and it definitely was a challenge,” Umaga said.
“I thought long and hard about coming here having known the club, but also knowing what was going on at the club and what was involved in the club.
“It was about getting autonomy from the board so that I can put my spin on it.
“If I wasn’t allowed to do that, then I would have said no from the first day.
“The board have been true to their word and it was great to see John and Richard Beal at the game against Otley.
“They could see we’ve come a long way. It’s about how we pitch next season.
“If we do too well, then we’ll probably find ourselves in the same position as two years ago.
“But there are a lot of variables going on at the moment with the RFU still making decisions about what happens at the next level up.
While the players not on county duty for Yorkshire, the rest are enjoying a well-earned break. So when will pre-season training begin?
“Pre-season might start around the same time as last season – mid July,” Umaga said.
“Maybe earlier, but plans are in place as to who we’ll play in pre-season.
“We want to make sure the team dynamic is at the forefront of everything we do.
“The staff have already laid out their plans about what the pre season will look like, but now it’s about giving the guys a rest.
“This is a good breeding ground for young developing players.
“I think we’ve seen that this year with a lot of young new faces brought in who will hopefully become stalwarts of this club.
“But also for young guys who want to push on to better things. Hull is beautifully placed with the partnership we have with Bishop Burton.
“It makes the pathway a lot more clearer for young players in the east of Yorkshire. “Fingers crossed, we’ll be able to continue the partnership next season and we see more good young talent come through, because there is plenty of talent there.”
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