Joe Barakat

Joe Barakat

Joe Barakat signing autographs after Toshiba Brave Lupus defeated the Canon Eagles at Machida Athletic Stadium
Full name	Joseph Barakat
Date of birth	(1963-02-23) 23 February 1963
Place of birth	Sydney
School	Marist Brothers College
University	Australian Catholic University
Occupation(s)	Rugby Union Coach
Rugby union career
Current status
Position(s)	Set Piece, Forwards attack and Defence Coach
Current team	Toshiba Brave Lupus
Coaching career
Years	Club / team
2015– 2015 2012–15 2010–12 2006–10 2001–05 2004 1998-00 1997–99 1997–98	Ulster Rugby West Harbour RUFC Toshiba Brave Lupus NTT Shining Arcs NSW Waratahs West Harbour RUFC Australian School boys U21s Southern Districts Rugby Club NSW Schools 1st XV ISA Combined XV

Joe Barakat (born 23 February 1963) is an Australian rugby union Coach. He is currently an assistant coach with Ulster Rugby in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Education

Barakat graduated from Marist Brothers College in 1980 and continued his study at Australian Catholic University. Here he graduated with a Diploma of Education (Physical Education Major), Graduate Diploma in Computer Education and Certificate of Religious Education. Barakat furthered his skill set with studies in Biomechanics, Human Movement and coaching (Level 3 Rugby Coach Certification).

International Coaching career

Fiji Rugby Union

In 2003, Barakat became the Technical Consaultant to Fijian Rugby Union and Samoan Rugby Union in the Rugby World Cup, a feat that initiated his strong relationship with Fiji rugby. In his time at the NSW Waratahs, Barakat fostered the connection with Fiji Rugby Union from both sides. In 2008 he was appointed the Technical Director (forwards) for Fiji RFU (Pacific Nations Cup),^[1] tasked to improve the set pieces in the national and under 20's squads.^[2] Barakat was called upon to join Coach Sam Domoni as an Assistant and Specialist Coaching in the National team in 2010. Barakat also toured with Waratahs staff and players in 2008 to help identify potential future players.^[3]

Japanese Top League

Barakat has spent the previous five years in Japan coaching Top League Teams NTT Communications Shining Arcs and Toshiba Brave Lupus. Before his contractual commitment, Barakat travelled as a spot coach (set piece and defence) for Toshiba in 2009/2010.^[4]

At NTT Communications in the Japanese Top League, Barakat played an integral role in the teams success, mentoring Former All Black Isaac Ross and former NRL and Australian RL player Craig Wing along the way. Barakat took the previous second division team to be named the best defensive line-out, ranked top five in line-out attack in the first year of his contract.

At Toshiba Brave Lupus, Barakat is currently coaching and mentoring former All Blacks Richard Kahui, Steven Bates, David Hill and Maori All Black Tanerau Latimer. Barakat has been involved in the development of the current Japan National Captain Michael Leitch and current test cap record holder for Japan Hitoshi "Kin" Ono. Four of the forwards from Toshiba Brave Lupus are currently in the Japanese national squad.

To finish up the 2014/2015 Top League season, Toshiba Brave Lupus were awarded the title of number one scrum and line-out in the competition. Statistics showed a 96.4% scrum success and 85.9% line-out success.^[5]

Ulster Rugby

Guinness Pro12 club Ulster Rugby announced in January 2015 that Barakat would join them as Assistant Coach on a two-year contract at the start of the 2015/16 season.^[10]

Australian Domestic Coaching career

Barakat has had a vast influence in multiple aspects of NSW Rugby Union as a Head coach and as a Set Piece, Forwards and Defence Coach.

School Rugby

Head of the PD/H/PE Department at St Patrick's College (Strathfield), Barakat took on the role of Head coach for their 1st XV, leading the team to five Independent Schools Association Championships in a row, Barakat was highly regarded in the NSW School's rugby scene. In 1997–98 Barakat was selected as the ISA Combined XV Head Coach.^[11] He was also named as the NSW Schools 1st XV Head Coach (1997–99), guiding them to two championships in three seasons. In this team, Barakat fostered the likes of Phil Waugh, George Smith, Craig Wing, David Lyons and Ryan Cross.^[12]

Australian U/21s

Barakat joined the Australian U/21s Coaching staff as the Forwards and Defence coach in 2004 alongside Head coach Laurie Fisher and assistant coach Sean Hedger.^[13][14][15] The team finished 1st in their pool but were defeated by Ireland in the semi-finals.^[16]

NSW Club Rugby

In 1998–2000, Barakat began his club rugby coaching career as Southern Districts Rugby Club forwards coach. Barakat then spent the following five years as Head coach for West Harbour RUFC, voted Coach of the Year in 2002. At West Harbour RUFC, Barakat mentored Brumby and Waratahs Flanker Des Tuiavii, Wallaby Fili Finau, former Waratah Chris Siale and current Brumbies No. 8 Fotu Auelua.

In 2015, Barakat made a brief return to NSW club rugby as the head coach for West Harbour RUFC.

NSW Waratahs

Barakat officially joined the NSW Waratahs in 2006 as the Academy Coach where he remained until the end of the 2010 season. Barakats role as Head Coach of the Waratahs Academy and Waratahs A Team allowed the identification and Development of Super Rugby players Dave Dennis, Kane Douglas, Lachlan Turner. These signings highlighted the success of the program.

With his commitments to the NSW Waratahs, Barakat established connections with Fiji National Rugby Union and Japanese Top League team – Toshiba Brave Lupus.

References