ORANGE CYMS captain-coach Mick Sullivan has penned a new deal at the green and golds that’ll see the former NRL star’s tenure in charge of the defending Group 10 champions span a decade.
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Signing on with CYMS in September 2009, Sullivan went on to sign a five-year extension with the Group 10 powerhouse in 2011 before this week putting pen to paper on another deal, set to see the livewire half at the club until the end of 2019.
Announced on the eve of Sunday’s round three clash with Lithgow Workies at Wade Park, the move shores up one of the most successful coach-club combinations in Group 10’s history.
Already a three-time premiership-winner and four-time grand finalist, Sullivan said a lasting legacy was the driving motivation to succeed at CYMS.
“Not only in firsts, but right throughout the club,” the 2010, 2011 and 2013 champion half said.
“It’s continual success. I’d like to see reserves and firsts win a premiership together, obviously 18s build and become strong.
“Hopefully the grounds are then set to continue it on throughout the next decade.”
A former top flight NRL player with 116 games for the Northern Eagles, Cronulla Sharks, Canterbury Bulldogs and Warrington Wolves in the English Super League, Sullivan says one of his great regrets is not being able to commit long term to one club when at the top of his game.
Doing so now at CYMS and at the age of 33 was a “happy fit”.
“I’ve just found a good home here at CYMS,” he said.
“I did chop and change while I was in the NRL and I would have liked to have seen what I could have achieved if I’d stayed with the Sharks, and it’s a regret I have.
“I’d like to stay with one club for that sort of period and a decade seems like a good time frame.
“Ten years is a good achievement.”
“I did chop and change while I was in the NRL and I would have liked to have seen what I could have achieved if I’d stayed with the Sharks, and it’s a regret I have"
Despite going under the knife at the end of 2013 to have his knee fully reconstructed, Sullivan said his intention was to play on right through until the end of his new deal.
After battling brittle hamstrings for most of his career, however, Sullivan admits his “playing days are limited”.
“That’s no secret. Another major injury would have me finished, but if the body can keep ticking over and I can play the right amount of games, I’d like to stay on,” he said.
Undefeated following a 42-24 win over rivals Orange Hawks in round one then a round two bye, CYMS tackle the 0-2 Lithgow Workies in what traditionally shapes up as one of Group 10’s biggest clashes.
With six home games in the opening eight rounds, Sullivan said wins before the turn of the season in round 10 were imperative.
And if that means knocking Lithgow down a peg further, so be it.
“I’d love to make it 0-3,” Sullivan smiled.
“They’ll be chasing their tails if they lose their first five games.
“No doubt they’ll come out strong though.”
Sunday’s clash with Workies kicks off at 2.15pm.
ORANGE CYMS: 1 Tim Bassmann, 2 Wayne Colletts, 3 Scott Piper, 4 Dan Stuart, 5 Semisi Katoa, 6 Ben McAlpine, 7 Warick Colley, 8 Des Knight, 9 Sam Hill, 10 Zac Bohan, 11 Kyran Bubb, 12 Riley Law, 13 Ben Gosper, 14 Matt Penny, 15 Brent Colley.
