The Rugby League community loves its buzz words and in this fan’s view, there doesn’t seem to be a word that’s bandied around as much as “culture” when it comes to talking about the feel or attitude at a club. As the Blue and Gold bask in the glory of five wins on the trot, the newspapers talking up a top four finish, and the return on The Eels to finals footy, I thought I’d turn my magnifying glass (or indeed my prescription glasses!) upon the topic of club culture.

First of all – what exactly is a “club culture”?

A common definition of “Club Culture” is – “the practice of protecting the reputation of one’s workforce in the face of criticism, above all other considerations” .

The manner in which the Parramatta Eels playing group bunkered down together during season 2016, the way they performed on the field, certainly personified that definition.

But I think there’s more to it than just that. Culture has to be grown at a club and be representative of those who live or work by it.

 A “club culture” cannot be manufactured nor can it be imported from elsewhere. Why?

The conditions and circumstances are just not the same when you take an idea or ideal from another club and try to make it work elsewhere. Parramatta fans witnessed the results when we attempted to transplant or import a “culture” from another team – the Melbourne Storm. Stephen Kearney was from a “winning club culture” and had been a winning World Cup Coach. He tried to implement the style, the “culture”,  that had been successful at the Melbourne Storm. It just didn’t work.

Why didn’t the blueprint of a winning culture work when transplanted?

A common position by the Eels players during the Kearney years

The answer I believe, is simple.

True club culture can’t be transplanted, it has to come from an understanding of not just the players at hand, but an understanding of the area you work in or dare i say it, a love or a passion for that area. What works, and indeed what still works for Craig Bellamy and the Melbourne Storm, is a perfect fit for them.  Melbourne is a Rugby League island in a sea of AFL.  The players down there are isolated from the greater majority of the Rugby League community (and larger, wide spread fan base) that exists in New South Wales and in Queensland. The players become their own little community and the structures that Bellamy and the Storm staff put into play work there because it fits for the club and the environment.

Brad Arthur and his staff understood that Parramatta and Melbourne were two different clubs. They understood that Parramatta was indeed different to any other club. They understood that a club has to develop its own culture that was reflective of and resonated with its players and staff.

Brad Arthur at training

Brad played his junior football in the Parramatta area. This is where he and his family grew up. The pride and passion they have in being a part of this area is on show even at a grass roots level.  This is evident not only with his involvement with junior league coaching in the Hills districts, but also at Junior Reps where you’ll see Brad (and also Bernie Gurr) watching the young stars go round.

Brad Arthur with the Rouse Hill Rhinos

Can you imagine the amazing impact that has on the young players, the coaches, the volunteers, and the families when they see the first grade coach in attendance. How good must they feel that the top grade coach takes the time to come and watch the future of his club?

Club culture is being planted at the junior levels.

Now let’s jump to the graded players.

They know Brad’s commitment to the future of the club and that stays with them, whether at a conscious level or not.  They see his passion for the club, but more importantly, they see, day in day out, his passion for them. He wants them to not just become the best player they can be, but to also become the best person they can be.

Brad Arthur is about as honest and straight up as they come. He’s up front with his players, never sugar coating a communication to “ease a painful message”, nor wrapping his players in cotton wool. He’s straight forward, telling them the truth of where they are and what they need to do to become better players.

The bonds within this team are strong.

B.A’s been able to reignite a genuine pride across the board in the jumper. We all see the evolving changes. The want, the hunger, the desire to compete and win …. and yes … Pride. Pride in themselves. A desire to not let the man next to them down. A desire to not let their coach down.

Look no further than our team last year, stripped of points, they could have easily just turned up and gone through the motions.  Most people wouldn’t have blamed them.

But not our Eels.

Not the culture that Brad and his staff have been developing.

We saw them put in week in, week out, never losing pride in the jumper, playing for one another.

Team joy as IDG scores a double vs The Warriors

A club culture cannot be imported.

It cannot be bought.

It cannot be manufactured.

It takes time and the right person with the right team to make it happen, and this is what we have with Brad Arthur and his staff.

We have a Parramatta Culture. And it’s something which will bring great pride to our club.

Brad with Ronnie Palmer 

Yours in Blue and Gold,

DK Eel

images courtesy off The Herald Sun, Daily telegraph

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