Become Connacht fans first and join the incredible journey
GALWAY ADVERTISER, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013.
Pat Lam
Pat Lam
By Pat Lam (head Coach)

When I came to Ireland last November to meet with the Connacht Board (PGB) and hear their vision for Connacht Rugby, I took the opportunity to find out more about Galway and the rest of the province. I asked everyone I came across in my few days in Ireland, “What is it like there?”, “Tell me about Connacht?” “Tell me about Galway?” “What is the West of Ireland like?”

Without hesitation every single person launched into reams of positive stories about the people, the craic, the culture, the spirit and passion; and I thought “wow”. In my short few months here, all the wonderful stories about the West of Ireland have been confirmed. I knew the journey Connacht Rugby is on for the “West of Ireland is the Best part of Ireland” to spread through to rugby was one I want to be a part of.

Yes, we have the beautiful landscape, but it is the people and the way they do things here that has everyone outside of Connacht and around the world talking about this place.

I’ve also seen how passionate the players are about representing the people of Connacht. Men like John Muldoon, Michael Swift, Gavin Duffy, Andrew Browne and Ronan Loughney who live and breathe Connacht. They have ensured that people like myself, Craig Clarke, Jake Heenan and others come here knowing exactly what Connacht is all about.

They demonstrate the values of a true ‘Connacht man’ – respected, committed, tough, accountable and a team man. And they guarantee that we all live to those values and standards.

Connacht Rugby is more than just the rugby team – it’s the whole province. Today, we have 23 Connacht-born players but it is our entire squad who are representative of the people from Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Roscommon and Leitrim. We go out to visit clubs like Tuam RFC, Westport RFC and Castlebar RFC not because we have to, but because we want to. And we’re looking forward to meeting more Connacht people further across the province over the course of the season.

What makes Connacht Rugby so special and unique is the relationship between players, the fans and their province. Character grows from being tested and going through difficult times; Connacht Rugby has had its fair share of tests and trials over the years but through resilience, determination and pure heart from the people of Connacht we continue to grow and compete against the bigger provinces and clubs in Europe. We have grown closer together as a result of the support.

This is an exciting time in Connacht’s development, a time of change with new faces at training and around the club. New players have committed themselves to Connacht Rugby, and their wives, girlfriends, children have moved to the West to be part of our family. Your family.

We are working hard to build a successful province and create a genuine pathway for young indigenous players to be able to fulfil their rugby ambitions with Connacht Rugby.

This is only possible with the support we receive from you, the local community, whether it’s through sponsorship or most importantly, through Season Ticket sales.

Against Zebre, two weeks ago, I saw what it meant to the team playing at the Sportsground. The noise from the Clan Terrace and around the stadium as I made my way over to the new Coaches Box in the Main Stand was incredible. This is what drives us on as a province.

So, I encourage you, your family and your friends to join us on this journey by investing in a Connacht Rugby Season Ticket and the future of Connacht rugby, not to be a rugby fan but to be a Connacht fan which is different from anyone else in the world.

See you at the game this Saturday.

Great article here on Lam

sport.ie.msn.com/rugby/%E2%80%98west-is-...ick-off-edges-closer

Interview on Newstalk

www.newstalk.ie/player/podcasts/Newstalk..._newstalk_sport/cp_2

He comes across as a decent guy, a tad nervous, and didn't say anything extraordinary. Perhaps the best thing was the way that he has tried to play down expectations, particularly of parity with the other provinces. Sears seems to have him well briefed on what is role is, and it is more graft than glamour. I remember being in the Sportground offices a year or two ago, and seeing a guy ahead of me coming in to buy tickets for a game, who didn't know where to go. Typically the first person he met when he took a wrong turn was Eric, who dropped whatever he was doing and brought the guy up to the office, holding doors open as they went, chatting in his usual easy way. Best of luck to Pat, he's got big boots to fill.

its_phil wrote: Saying all the right things and has definitely got his research done into our history. Seems like he is going to immerse himself deeply into Connacht and use the same underdog attitude Samoa have. No patronising bull either like EOS might have gave, realises there are no superstars and players have to pull together. Promise to keep going with expansive game is good too, but I seriously hope he works on our support lines.

Very impressed with how he has come across, doesn't just seem to be here for the pay cheque. Just needs to back it up on the pitch now.

It's the nature of the man, the way he played the game and the way he was off the pitch too. He's is old school much like Eric, which I think is important for a small club like ours. We'll never have the money so it's important that we have a clear notion of who we are and what we can achieve, not just some eejit who rolls up knowing nothing and spouting out any aul shi*e to win the popular vote...

pat lam's interviewed by rob at knockon.ie

knockonrugby.podomatic.com/entry/2013-04-10T02_34_34-07_00

Saying all the right things and has definitely got his research done into our history. Seems like he is going to immerse himself deeply into Connacht and use the same underdog attitude Samoa have. No patronising bull either like EOS might have gave, realises there are no superstars and players have to pull together. Promise to keep going with expansive game is good too, but I seriously hope he works on our support lines.

Very impressed with how he has come across, doesn't just seem to be here for the pay cheque. Just needs to back it up on the pitch now.

www.tv3.ie/sport.php

Hopefully that link works. Nice 10min interview available on the TV3 site anyway.

Comes across really well.

seems that it was on sooner then i expected, should be online at knockon.ie later. when i find it ill post it here

pat lam on galway bay fm in a min i think

Welcome aboard Pat! Let's hope the sunshine coinciding with his arrival is a good omen for the next few seasons!!

Pat Lam arrives at Connacht Rugby

Incoming Connacht Rugby Head Coach Pat Lam arrived to a sun-drenched Sportsground today.

The 44-year-old New Zealander landed at Shannon airport yesterday evening with his wife Steph and four children and has been busy meeting everyone at the club since then.

“It’s been fantastic seeing everyone today. Since we’ve arrived yesterday, everybody has been so welcoming to myself and my family”, said Pat.

“We’re enjoying having a look around Galway in the sun and getting settled.

“I sat down with Eric today and we had a good chat. I’m looking forward to meeting all the players tomorrow.

“It will be great to take in the remaining four games of the season and get the lay of the land before I start in the summer.”

In December of this year, Pat accepted a two year contract with Connacht Rugby with the option to extend for a further period. He will commence the role of Head Coach on June 1st 2013.


Lam represented the All Blacks in a tour match before going on to captain Samoa in a distinguished playing career which included spells with Newcastle Falcons and Northampton Saints where he lifted the Heineken Cup.

His coaching career includes a successful spell at Auckland in the New Zealand Provincial Championship from 2005-8 where he won the title in 2005 and 2007 before he went on to head up the Auckland Blues in the Super 15. Under Lam the Blues achieved their best finish for several years in 2011 reaching the semi-finals, where they lost to eventual winners the Queensland Reds. He has also been involved at international level as a consultant to both Scotland and Samoa, most recently on the Pacific Islanders highly successful UK tour late last year when they claimed the scalps of both Wales and Canada which saw them make the top eight of the IRB World Rankings.

salmson wrote:

ConnachtCows wrote:
Rumors that he's living in Moylough as he wanted to be as close to the Sportsground as possible

Thanks for that. Will now have nightmares about "Pat Lam" turning up for the first day's training only to peel off his disguise and reveal he's EOS...

Be very scared if Pat is seen wearing a leather jacket, and describing the rain by saying that "It's pouring milk and trees"

ConnachtCows wrote:
Rumors that he's living in Moylough as he wanted to be as close to the Sportsground as possible

Thanks for that. Will now have nightmares about "Pat Lam" turning up for the first day's training only to peel off his disguise and reveal he's EOS...

Robbo wrote:

FACECUTTR wrote: Only 31 days till Pat is at his first Connacht game !!

Anyone who's about Galway seen or heard of him being around?

Rumors that he's living in Moylough as he wanted to be as close to the Sportsground as possible

FACECUTTR wrote: Only 31 days till Pat is at his first Connacht game !!

Anyone who's about Galway seen or heard of him being around?