Generation text — Ivan Cleary turns to the mobile phone to help motivate Panthers
A CONTROVERSIAL performance rating system — sent by text to every player — has helped Penrith storm into premiership contention.
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A CONTROVERSIAL performance rating system — sent by text to every player — is part of a coaching evolution that has helped Penrith storm into premiership contention.
Ahead of Monday night’s clash with the Brisbane Broncos, Ivan Cleary has admitted to coaching by correspondence, with the mobile phone a valuable tool.
Cleary revealed he has been giving each player a rating after every game.
The scores — ranging from one to 10 — are sent as a text message to each player on Monday morning, accompanied by brutally honest remarks from the coach.
Cleary suggested he could one day be coaching on Skype.
PEACHEY TO KEEP IT SIMPLE IN THE BACKS
“Coaching is an evolution,’’ Cleary said.
“You constantly have to change the way you do things and the way coach. You have to read the situation and handle it the best way you see fit. That (text messaging players a rating) is something I have been doing.
“The way you communicate with young guys today is different to what I was planning. That is the evolution.
“You need to find their level and find the best way to communicate with them. It takes a while to do, but if it’s getting the results, it’s worth it.
“ It doesn’t matter what you do, or how you do it, it’s a matter of what they hear and what they get out of it.
“If that’s the best way they are getting the message, then that’s what we’ll do.’’
Cleary said the phone-based coaching system was new to the Panthers and it was implemented to help communicate his messages to a generation obsessed with technology.
“I didn’t do it at the Warriors,’’ Cleary said. “And who knows where it will go next? Maybe it will be Skype. That’s the thing ... all these players are different these days and they are always on mobile phones.
“They spend their lives attached to it.
“Whether it is Twitter, Facebook or SMS, that’s how they communicate. Basically, it doesn’t matter what medium you are using, you are still coaching people and you need to get the message.
“What I got taught as a player and have a coach talk to me (about) is not relevant today. I don’t know what is the best way, I’m still try to work that out.’’
Despite Penrith’s charge towards the NRL finals, Cleary is yet to deliver a “perfect 10’’.
“I don’t think he gives 10s out,’’ said James Segeyaro.
“My highest is a 7.5. The worst I have had is a 6.5. That was a bad game for me against the Titans when things didn’t go my way.
“There is a bit of chat between the boys about the rating system.
“Me and Jamie Soward talk about it in the car.
“He is always carrying on a bit asking what I have got and he always wants to beat me.’’
Originally published as Generation text — Ivan Cleary turns to the mobile phone to help motivate Panthers
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