Holden keen to learn the McGeechan way

MALIQ Holden admits he couldn’t have asked for a better role model to learn from than Sir Ian McGeechan after landing his first head coach role.

- JON NEWCOMBE

Holden has stepped up from being assistant coach with National 2 North Hull Ionians into the main role for the 2024/25 National 2 North season. Tom Bullough replaces him as backs coach and Lewis Thiede is looking after the forwards.

Former Dutch junior international Holden, right, will continue to play on the wing for Doncaster Knights in the Championship, allowing him access to consultant DoR McGeechan’s sage advice on a regular basis.

Despite being nearly half a century apart in age, Holden and the Scotland and Lions legend share a passion for rugby, with 28-year-old Holden, a Level 3 coach, confident in his own ability despite his relatively tender years.

“It helps being close to the game and I guess having the ability to get on with players that way I think is important. I guess it’s good that I am young but I’d like to think it is also because I am good at what I do as well.” he said.

“I think if you are good enough you are old enough, and that goes both ways. You’ve got Sir Ian McGeechan who is obviously doing some work with us at Doncaster and he has got to be one of the oldest coaches but he is brilliant.