Tom Zimmerman in action for Horowhenua-Kapiti against Whanganui in 2019. These days he is the team manager.
Tom Zimmerman in action for Horowhenua-Kapiti against Whanganui in 2019. These days he is the team manager.
When Tom Zimmerman was playing for Horowhenua-Kāpiti he never gave too much thought to whose job it was to make sure everyone was on the team bus.
Or what time the plane left. Or who had the keys to the changing room, or if there was enough Deep Heat. Those little micro-details weren't his concern. He was giving his full concentration to the next game at hand.
Now, the 36-year-old is manager of the Horowhenua-Kāpiti team and much of that house-keeping now starts and stops with him. The A-Z details he never gave much thought to as a player now require his complete attention.
When he made the decision to hang up his boots - he played 17 games for HK between 2015 and 2019 - he put his name in the hat for manager.
The loose forward from Foxton would have played a lot more representative games, but for two broken arms.
"It's my turn to give back now," he said.
Zimmerman was relishing the new role. He runs a tight ship, bringing the same level of commitment that served him well as an uncompromising player. He is often the first to arrive and turns the light out when he leaves.
The diary starts on a Sunday, watching videos of the previous game and compiling a comprehensive review of match statistics for the coaching staff, which requires viewing an entire game at least four times, counting ball carries, tackles, etc.
Those findings were then distributed to the coaching staff and discussed at Tuesday night trainings.
Player conduct was something that fell under his brief, too. Zimmerman impressed on players the standards of behaviour that were required in representing HK. There were expectations, and anyone overstepping the mark was held to account.
"It's a reminder of who we are, where we come from, and who we are representing," he said.
He has an assistant manager himself in Matt Harvey, a former HK representative who also played for Manawatū and Taranaki. Zimmerman said having an assistant helped.
Zimmerman's managerial skills had not gone unnoticed. He has been seconded for the New Zealand Heartland team to fill an Observer's Role, acting as an apprentice to team manager Nigel Walsh later this year.
NZ Heartland XV have a one-off match against NZ Marist on December 1.
Horowhenua-Kapiti play East Coast at Levin Domain tomorrow. Photo / Dave Lintott
Meanwhile, HK would be shooting for a hat-track against East Coast at Levin Domain tomorrow afternoon. Kick-off is at 2.30pm. The match will again be livestreamed on social media, as no spectators were allowed at the ground under alert level 2.
HOROWHENUA-KĀPITI:1 James Gilland. 2 Bryn Gordon. 3 Dave McErlean. 4 Ryan Shelford (Captain) 93. 5 Daniel Smith. 6 Joel Winterburn. 7 Aaron Lahmert. 8 Benedict Grant. 9 Jack Tatu-Robertsson. 10 Ash Robinson-Bartlett. 11 Lennix Tovo. 12 Leon Ellison. 13 Tautau Kapea. 14 Himiona Henare. 15 Hamish Buick. 16 Robin Pratt. 17 Scott Cameron. 18 Simon Butler. 19 Kolonio Koto. 20 Thomas Barnsley. 21 Connor Paki. 22 Malua Iakopo.
EAST COAST: 1 Jodi Tuhaka. 2 Jorian Tangaere. 3 Perrin Manuel. 4 Gabe Te Kanie. 5 FaifiliLevave. 6 Tanira Tamanui-Nepia. 7 William Bolingford. 8 Hone Haerewa. 9 Sam Parkes. 10 Rapata Haerewa. 11 Te Wehi Wright. 12 Te Manu Herewini. 13 Tawhao Stewart. 14 Ngarohi Mcgarvey-Black. 15 Terangihekeoeteau Fraser. 16 Mike Chambers-Raroa. 17 Myles Lardelli-Muir Tawa. 18 Waitoa Richard. 19 Jack Richardson. 20 Alistair Parata. 21 Hamuera Moana. 22 Teina Potae.
