42 / 64
www.
ULSTERRUGBY
.com
40
JOE BARAKAT
What’s next in store for you?
I am off to the Western Force in the New Year to
take up a senior coaching position with them. It’s
a good opportunity to get involved with a Super
Rugby franchise in my home country, so I’m really
excited about it.
Prior to coming to Ulster and working for Toshiba
in Japan, both successful organisations, I used
to be a coach trouble-shooter who would go in
to schools
and clubs
and help to
rebuild them
and that’s
something
I am really
used to and
really enjoy
doing. I
have missed
getting
my hands
dirty and I
am looking
forward to
going and
helping the
Western Force to turn their fortunes around.
Was family a main driver in your decision?
I have been away from home for seven years
now and I have missed a lot at home. My family
are very supportive, I have a great couple of girls
who understand and really enjoy what I do, but
I am very far away from them and one of them
is getting married in November, starting a new
family. My youngest will then be the only one left
at home and keeping her close to her mum is
really important to me. I want to be a bigger part
of their lives, which I haven’t been for a period of
time, so I am really looking forward to that.
What have been your favourite moments at
Ulster?
Just being at Ulster has been a huge highlight
- people don’t realise the impact that this team
has on this Province. It is just immense, when
we win, Belfast is vibrant and when we lose
everyone stays indoors for a little while. But I say
that tongue-in-cheek because there are fantastic
supporters here who look after you whether you
win or lose, but obviously really like winning! So
being in such a unique environment were people
know you and what we do keeps people going
and keeps them enthusiastic, is something I am
really going to miss.
Coaching and being part of a squad where I
am dealing with 10+ international rugby players,
where as a coach you are challenged because
you want to
improve those
players even
more, and you
are in a fantastic
environment
which is high
performance, is
such an honour.
I couldn’t have
asked for
anything more.
Being here for a
home and away
Toulouse game
in the European
Cup is also a
highlight. As a
defence coach knowing that Toulouse couldn’t
cross our line here at home, was probably my
greatest feeling ever. Then beating them away
the following week when they are the epitome of
rugby in the world was just fantastic.
What have you enjoyed most about living in
Ulster?
This place has been great. The beaches were
not my favourite but we have had some sunny
days recently and I have loved the golf. Both
myself and my wife said that while we were in golf
paradise we would play as much as we could and
I have reduced my handicap to around 18, which
is great, and our relationship with Royal Belfast
has been magnificent. Not just for me but also for
the players who need that down time to get out
and escape and hit a few golf balls in beautiful
surroundings. The Belfast Baps at St. George’s
Market are fantastic! Also this community and
this city in general is a hidden gem, I will definitely
come back and visit!
JOE BARAKAT
HEADING FOR HOME