Prop star Brok Harris has revealed how he is passing on his knowledge to the next generation of Dragons – but he is not planning on giving up his No.1 jersey just yet!
Front row stalwart Harris has become a cornerstone of the pack at Rodney Parade since arriving from the Stormers.
The hugely popular 34-year-old South African has signed a contract extension this season to extend his stay in Newport into a sixth year.
The prop will combine playing duties with a coaching role with the Dragons Under-16s.
However, he admits his focus remains adding to his 108 appearances for the seniors.
“My focus is to be better than ever,” said Harris. “That is why I am here, that is why I play the game. To compete at the highest level and for me personally I focus on what I can control.
“In pre-season it has been about looking after my body and waiting for the rugby to start.
“I’ve played over 100 games, but the competition is great and you can’t win games or compete in this tournament without that depth. I’ve said that all along.
“You need at least three in every position, especially when you get injuries and it is a long season.
“We are competing for one jersey, but it is good and everyone is working together and competing at the same time. It is a good place to be.”
Harris admits a move into coaching is something that interests him and he is currently doing his qualifications and working on helping the next crop of young stars.
“I’ve enjoyed the coaching and it’s been a good experience working with the youngsters,” he smiled.
“There is a lot of talent there but you have to not try and teach them everything at once and try to get the knowledge across to them.
“The biggest thing I have learnt is to keep it simple, especially for the youngsters. They have all the energy and we don’t want to box them in, let the make decisions and guide them.
“It’s been great to be on the flip side of it,” he added. “We had our first warm-up game and I was on the coaching side, it was a whole new experience for me.
“It’s opened my eyes in terms of what coaching is all about. It’s the first steps for me, I am busy with my Level 3, so it is about how I transition after rugby into the coaching side.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time at Dragons so helping the next generation here is big for me. As a region you are only as strong as your developing players, from Under-16s to Under-18s to Under-23s.
“Our aim is to get players through that system and let them become the next Dragons. I think it is really important for me to give back, to go out and teach the youngsters the knowledge I have learnt over the years.
“Hopefully in a couple of years we will stand on the terraces and we will see some of these guys running out at Rodney Parade in Dragons kit. That is the dream.”
I’ve really enjoyed my time at Dragons so helping the next generation here is big for me. As a region you are only as strong as your developing players...
