Pints, putts, punts and PlayStation: How Elliott Whitehead became Canberra’s social director
“He is a big part of our team, a massive part of our team, on and off the field,” says coach Ricky Stuart. Meet the man behind Canberra’s unmatchable team bond.
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An Englishman with a love of golf and a pint has been identified as the unofficial social director behind the team bond driving Canberra towards an NRL grand final.
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has reserved special praise for forward Elliott Whitehead, who ensures players are close mates on and off the footy field over dinners, beers, holidays, golf and FIFA PlayStation.
And it is that camaraderie Canberra hopes will give them an edge under pressure in Friday’s preliminary final against Souths at GIO Stadium.
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“Elliott keeps the boys together — he’s our social director who makes sure it’s not all about football,” Stuart told The Daily Telegraph.
Bradford-born Elliott enjoys taking his teammates for a beer and bet at The Duxton and The Lighthouse Bar in Canberra.
He organises golf rounds at Yowani and Gold Creek and arranged a pre-season trip to the NSW South Coast, including Batemans Bay, to show fellow British players some Australian beaches.
There are also dinner dates for players, wives and partners at Raku Japanese and player lunches at Café Momo in Bruce.
Then there’s Roaming Elliott — his own online segment on the Raiders’ website where he interviews teammates in Canberra’s dressing room after each win. It is a hit with the Raiders fans.
He is in charge of FIFA PlayStation games for teammates, runs an EPL Fantasy Football competition and tipping contests. Whitehead even lives close to English teammate John Bateman, the pair able to wave to each other from their balconies.
“Elliott is a good story,” Raiders coach Ricky Stuart told The Daily Telegraph.
“He is a big part of our team, a massive part of our team, on and off the field. He is undervalued and understated in regards to his influence over the group.
“Elliott doesn’t do a lot of talking but there’s a hell of a lot of action. Off the field, I would be very correct in saying he is our social leader.
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“He enjoys a game of golf and is a true Pom, he enjoys a pint. He looks after the social side and keeps the boys together and is very well respected amongst the playing squad.
“They like their golf and they have a couple of beers. I like that amongst the squad. He’s our social director who makes sure it’s not all about football. And I’m serious about that — it’s not all about football and we make sure we enjoy our downtime.
“Elliott has a very intelligent footy brain. He will make a good coach one day.”
Elliott will play his 100th NRL game on Friday night. Former 1989 Canberra grand final hero, Dean Lance, will present Elliott his jumper. Lance will also blow the horn to kickstart the famous pre-game Viking Clap.
“It will be back-rower to back-rower,” Stuart said. “Some of Dean’s efforts and defence in that 1989 grand final … he didn’t have any preservation for his body.
“Dean was my first captain at the Raiders in 1988. He was a senior leader who was so composed. He really performed through his actions. It wasn’t talk with Dean, more ‘follow me’.”
Whitehead also helped younger Englishman, Ryan Sutton, settle into the Australian lifestyle when he arrived at the start of this year.