Joe Barakat
| Birth name | Joseph Barakat | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 23 February 1963 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Sydney, Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Marist Brothers College | ||||||||||||||||||||
| University | Australian Catholic University | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation(s) | Rugby Union Coach | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Joe Barakat (born 23 February 1963) is an Australian rugby union Coach. He is currently the Set Piece, Forwards attack and Defence Coach with the Toshiba Brave Lupus in Fuchu, Japan.
Education
Barakat graduated from Marist Brothers College in 1980 and continued his study at Australian Catholic University. Here he graduated with a Diploma of Education (Physical Education Major), Graduate Diploma in Computer Education and Certificate of Religious Education. Barakat furthered his skill set with studies in Biomechanics, Human Movement and coaching (Level 3 Rugby Coach Certification).
Coaching Career
Barakat has had a vast influence in multiple aspects of NSW Rugby Union as a Head coach and as a Set Piece, Forwards and Defence Coach.
School Rugby
Head of the PD/H/PE Department at St Patricks College (Strathfield), Barakat took on the role of Head coach for their 1st XV, leading the team to five Independant Schools Association Championships in a row, Barakat was highly regarded in the NSW School's rugby scene. In 1997-98 Barakat was selected as the ISA Combined XV Head Coach. [1] He was also named as the NSW Schools 1st XV Head Coach (1997-99), guiding them to two championships in three seasons. In this team, Barakat fostered the likes of Phil Waugh, George Smith, Craig Wing, David Lyons and Ryan Cross.[2]
Australian U/21s
Barakat joined the Australian U/21s Coaching staff as the Forwards and Defence coach in 2004 alongside Head coach Laurie Fisher and assistant coach Sean Hedger. [3] [4] The team finished 1st in their pool but were defeated by Ireland in the semi-finals. [5]
NSW Club Rugby
In 1998-2000, Barakat began his club rugby coaching career as Southern Districts Rugby Club forwards coach. Barakat then spent the following five years as Head coach for West Harbour RUFC, voted Coach of the Year in 2002. At West Harbour RUFC, Barakat mentored Brumby and Waratahs Flanker Des Tuiavii, Wallaby Fili Finau, former Waratah Chris Siale and current Brumbies No. 8 Fotu Auelua.
Joe Barakat has been named as the head coach for West Harbour RUFC in his return to Australian rugby in 2015.
NSW Waratahs
Barakat officially joined the NSW Waratahs in 2006 as the Academy Coach where he remained until the end of the 2010 season. Barakats role as Head Coach of the Waratahs Academy and Waratahs A Team allowed the identification and Development of Super Rugby players Dave Dennis, Kane Douglas, Lachlan Turner. These signings highlighted the success of the program.
| Year | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | NSW Waratahs Academy Coach, NSW Waratahs A's Head Coach | - |
| 2007 | NSW Waratahs Academy Head Coach, Professional Academy Head Coach, Head of Talent Identification | - |
| 2008 | Head Coach of Junior Waratahs, Scrum Coach for the Waratahs | - |
| 2009 | Head Coach of Junior Waratahs, Set Piece (assistant) and Defence Coach for the Waratahs | - |
| 2010 | Head Coach of Junior Waratahs, Set Piece (assistant) and Defence Coach for the Waratahs | - |
With his commitments to the NSW Waratahs, Barakat established connections with Fiji National Rugby Union and Japanese Top League team- Toshiba Brave Lupus.
Fiji Rugby Union
In 2003, Barakat became the Technical Consaultant to Fijian Rugby Union and Samoan Rugby Union in the Rugby World Cup [6], a feat that initiated his strong relationship with Fiji rugby. In his time at the NSW Waratahs, Barakat fostered the connection with Fiji Rugby Union from both sides. In 2008 he was appointed the Technical Director (forwards) for Fiji RFU (Pacific Nations Cup) [7], tasked to improve the set pieces in the national and under 20's squads. [8] Barakat was called upon to join Coach Sam Domoni as an Assistant and Specialist Coaching in the National team in 2010. Barakat also toured with Waratahs staff and players in 2008 to help identify potential talent to pick up a Waratahs contract. [9]
Japanese Top League
Barakat has spent the previous five years in Japan coaching Top League Teams NTT Communications Rubgy and Toshiba Brave Lupus. Before his contractual commitment, Barakat traveled as a spot coach (set piece and defence) for Toshiba in 2009/2010. [10] At NTT Communication in the Japanese Top League, Barakat played an integral role in the teams success, mentoring Former All Black Isaac Ross and former NRL and Australian RL player Craig Wing along the way. Barakat took the previous second division team to be named the best defensive lineout, ranked top five in lineout attack in the first year of his contract.
At Toshiba Brave Lupus Barakat is currently coaching and mentoring former All Blacks Richard Kahui, Steven Bates, David Hill and Maori All Black Taniera Latimer. Also their squad is Springbok Francious Steyne and former Wallaby Cooper Vuna. Of the Japanese members Barakat is responsible for the development of the current Japan National Captain Michael Leitch and current test record holder in Japan Kin Ono. Four of the forwards from Toshiba Brave Lupus are currently in the national squad
| Year | Club | Position | Accolades |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010/2011 | NTT Communications Shining Arcs [11] | Forwards and Defence Coach | - |
| 2011/2012 | NTT Communications Shining Arcs [12] | Forwards and Defence Coach | - |
| 2012/2013 | Toshiba Brave Lupus [13] | Set Piece and Forwards Attack Coach | Grand Finalists - Top League |
| 2013/2014 | Toshiba Brave Lupus | Set Piece, Forwards Attack and Defence Coach | Grand Finatlists - All Japan [14] |
| 2014/2015 | Toshiba Brave Lupus | Set Piece, Forwards Attack and Defence Coach | - |
References
- ^ http://www.maoris.com.au/maoris-articles/2008/5/17/nsw-job-would-not-faze-barakat/
- ^ http://www.nswschoolsrugby.rugbynet.com.au/verve/_resources/NSWSRU_I_XV_1971_-_2011.pdf
- ^ http://www.rugby.com.au/Portals/1/PDFs/Annual%20Reports/2004/ARU_2004_Annual_Report_-_HPU_Report.pdf
- ^ http://www.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/story/53759.html
- ^ http://www.rugby.com.au/Portals/1/PDFs/Annual%20Reports/2004/ARU_2004_Annual_Report_-_The_Year_In_Detail.pdf
- ^ http://www.ntt.com/rugby/topics/100630.html
- ^ http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=88786
- ^ http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/175969/new-south-wales-waratahs-lends-fiji-rugby-union-a-helping-hand
- ^ http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?ref=archive&id=102693
- ^ https://newsroom.sporple.com/interview-with-joe-barakat/#.VET3tfmUd8E
- ^ http://www.ntt.com/rugby/topics/100630.html
- ^ http://www.ntt.com/rugby/topics/120316.html
- ^ http://www.toshiba.co.jp/sports/rugby/member/profile/barakat_j.htm
- ^ http://jrfu.org/jrfu/index.php/latest/item/201-panasonic-to-play-toshiba-in-season-finale