00:00Coach, we're catching up this evening. You want to make a special announcement regarding your playing career?
00:07Yeah, obviously went through the broken neck back end of last year and through this year.
00:12Rehab and that went really, really well.
00:15Sat down with some specialists in springtime and obviously I've had to make the call that James Newton, the player, is over.
00:21And now we're going to make a transition to James Newton, the coach.
00:23Of course, not the way you'd have wanted to end your career, but you look back at the injury that you did have.
00:33Let's be honest, it's a minor miracle that you're walking and doing as well as you are, being able to do what you do considering the injury that you did have.
00:41Yeah, obviously early stage of injury was really worrying for me and my family.
00:45Obviously great to be here today, to be walking and talking, so that's a real positive.
00:49But as the rehab went along, I felt really, really strong, really, really good in myself.
00:54And obviously the ultimate goal was to play again, but unfortunately that's not there now.
00:58When did you, to come to that decision, I know you said you had the conversation with the specialists and it was sort of an injury in terms of sports that hadn't really been seen before.
01:09So there was a lot of thinking and probably soul searching that had to go into it.
01:13When was that final decision made for you?
01:15I think that was around about June time.
01:18My original specialist that I sat down with, I didn't believe him at first, so I got a second opinion and the second specialist said no as well.
01:26So I've had to take all that information in and make that final call.
01:30One door closes, another door opens.
01:34You were involved last season behind the scenes, helping out at training and on match days as well.
01:38So this season, you're part of the coaching staff, taking a more defined role.
01:42Muzz has given you the S&C role, which I'm sure the lads are going to love in the next few weeks of pre-season.
01:48You're going to be heavily involved in the backroom staff.
01:49That transition, which had already started, you're now able to go to full-flowing.
01:53So, yeah, yeah, I dipped it out a little bit last season.
01:56Obviously, commitments with my neck, commitments with my family.
02:01But this year, obviously, sat down with Muzzies, gave me the S&C stuff, and I've been doing a lot of work with the middles, with Rook defence and stuff like that.
02:07So, yeah, I've accepted it now, and it's time to make the transition and give coaching a real dig this year.
02:13And was coaching always going to be on the horizon?
02:15Is it something you always wanted to go in, you know, after your playing career, Andy?
02:20Yeah, yeah, I think it's something that I think I'm going to enjoy.
02:23I don't know if it's going to be for me yet, but there's one thing I like to do is give everything 100%.
02:27So, I'm going to give it all this year, and let's see how it goes.
02:30But early stage is really positive, and the lads are buying into what I want to do.
02:34You mentioned you dipped in and out last year, but I know you've still kept a good hand in and kept an eye on this group.
02:39And how did you feel last season?
02:41Went from afar, if you want to call it, from not being involved in that day-to-day basis.
02:46How did you feel that group went, and what's the feeling going into this season?
02:48I think what happened with the club last year on and off the field had to happen.
02:53I think, obviously, financially we're a lot more stable now.
02:56And I think, look at all these young community lads now playing at Whitehaven.
03:00The crowd seemed to be growing.
03:02And I think if, obviously, with the additions we've got this year, a bit more experience,
03:06I think if we can be consistent in the right areas, we'll be competitive every game.
03:10And have you had any complaints yet about the drills and everything you've been setting them yet?
03:14Not really, but we've only had two sessions, so I reckon by Christmas, they'll be looking to sack me.
03:18Yeah, what have you done today?
03:22It's a bit short, James Newton's going to try to get over to me.
03:24He's got the ball down there, this James Newton.
03:26Just put it, yeah, and it is, yeah, he has got that ball down, it's James Newton.
03:30Just put it in the shadows of the sticks.
03:32And then cross the lane, King King King getting second of the afternoon, or is he going to be held up?
03:37He's gone backwards, in the hands of James Newton.
03:39James Newton!
03:40All right, Simon!
03:44It's a wrap.
03:48I'm so sorry.
03:52I'm so sorry, he tried only.
03:56There she is!
04:02What have you done today to make you feel proud?
04:04It's never too late to try.
04:08To make you feel proud
04:15You could be so many people
04:20If you make that crowd for freedom
04:24What have you done today?
04:26To make you feel proud
