Lisburn man Doak is ‘proud’ to be named Ulster head coach

Lisburn man Neil Doak has said he is ‘proud’ after having been named as Ulster Rugby’s head coach this week.
Neil Doak was this week appointed as Ulster head coach. Pic by Presseye.Neil Doak was this week appointed as Ulster head coach. Pic by Presseye.
Neil Doak was this week appointed as Ulster head coach. Pic by Presseye.

Doak’s appointment as Ulster head coach, which was widely anticipated, began with immediate effect from Tuesday afternoon.

Meanwhile, it was also announced that Les Kiss would be the new Director of Rugby a year from now.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Doak’s contract will keep him in the coach’s position until at least the summer of 2017.

Reacting to the appointment, Doak, 42, said: “I am extremely proud to have been appointed as Ulster’s head coach and to have been given this opportunity is a fantastic honour for me.

“I played all my rugby at Ulster and I have coached here now for more than 14 years.

“I am proud to be from this Province and my aim over the next three seasons is to get the best out of our players and to help deliver success.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Kiss returns to his full time job as Ireland defence coach next week, but leaves the Kingspan Stadium in the knowledge that he will return after the Rugby World Cup in 2015 to a secure role as full-time director of rugby.

He also knows that in Doak, the club will be in good hands after his eventual confirmation after weeks of speculation as Head Coach.

Doak’s potential had already been recognised at international level when he joined Kiss in leading the Ireland National side on their summer Tour of North America.

Ulster CEO, Shane Logan said: “In looking for a new Head Coach we sought someone with passion, integrity and the ability to drive Ulster forward. Neil has all those qualities in abundance.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I am extremely pleased that someone who has invested so much into rugby in the Province has now earned the right to be the Head Coach of the senior team.

“We consulted widely on the best candidate for this role and no matter who we asked, whether it was players, management or staff, the same answer kept being given – the best person to be Head Coach at Ulster Rugby is Neil Doak.

“Over the past four seasons we have improved continuously and Neil has been instrumental in that growth. I have absolutely no doubt that he will be hugely successful in the coming years.”

Doak boasts a wealth of sporting talent having represented Ireland at cricket as well as playing professional rugby for Ulster.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Doak, who has almost 20 years association with Ulster having made 76 appearances in a career as a player spanning from 1995 to 2005 and working with the Ulster Academy before being appointed backs coach to the senior squad in 2009.

Related topics: