John Hopoate stands down from the job he loved as Sea Eagles SG Ball coach

JOHN Hopoate has stood himself down as the club’s SG Ball coach following ongoing controversy surrounding his appointment.

A DEVASTATED John Hopoate has stood himself down as Sea Eagles SG Ball coach following the ongoing controversy surrounding his role.

While the under 18s competition comes under the jurisdiction of the NSW Rugby League who cleared him to coach the team, the NRL stepped in and threatened Manly with the loss of competition points and a $30,000 fine if he continued after allegations of links to organised crime.

Not wanting to jeopardise the club’s premiership campaign, the former star winger has decided to stop doing the job he loved.

But Hoppa will continue to coach the Beacon Hill Bears under 12s, which includes his son Lehi and which he has guided to the last two premierships.

JOHH HOPOATE’S SHOCK RETURN TO PLAY IN HYBRID RUGBY GAME

“I’m not allowed to coach 17 and 18-year-olds but I am allowed to coach 12-year-olds,” Hopoate said.

“I don’t want the club to lose any money or points over me. But I am the SG coach, they are carrying on as though I am the national coach.”

Former rugby league player John Hopoate with his wife Brenda and four of his ten children, Albert, Maile, Pani and Lehi outside their church in Greenwich. Picture: Brett Costello

He is sad the strong bond he built with Manly SG Ball players whom he started working with for the past nine months will be severed.

They began working one day a week in June and then two days from November.

“And a lot of them I have coached before in the junior grades,” Hopoate said.

“I am devastated because I put so much time and effort into it,” he said.

He has been involved in been guiding teams in the Manly Warringah junior competitions for 21 years.

Hopoate said he should not be judged on past indiscretions and has served his suspensions.

“I have mates who have been in prison but so what? That doesn’t mean you are a criminal,“ he said.

Hopoate said the Police Citizens Youth Clubs get people who have been behind bars to help young people stay on the straight and narrow.

“But they say I can’t coach kids even though I have never been in jail,” he said.

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