John Coonan’s Daramalan Rugby Story

Few individuals have left as lasting an imprint on Daramalan Rugby as John Coonan, whose time at the College spanned nearly two decades. A teacher at Daramalan from 1987 to 2006, John played a pivotal role in shaping the rugby program, coaching the 2nd XV in 1987 before leading the 1st XV from 1988 to 1997 (with a break in 1993). Across those years, he helped build a culture defined by toughness, skill, and unwavering team spirit.
During John’s tenure, Daramalan Rugby consistently produced high-quality players, with nine students going on to represent Australian Schools or Under 17s level, a remarkable achievement that reflects both individual talent and the strength of the program. Among those standout players were Marco Caputo, Mark Challender, Andrew Obad, Peter Johnson, Matt Hall, Aaron Hardcastle, Matt Kennedy, George Elliopolous, and Marty O’Rourke.
“They were all outstanding, tough and skilful players,” John recalls.
Behind the success of the teams was a strong and supportive network. John speaks highly of colleagues who contributed to the program, including Peter O’Neill, Nick Hutchison, and Christian Fuenzalida, along with dedicated team managers Leon Norgate and Peter Hardcastle. Their collective effort helped create an environment where players could thrive both on and off the field.
While John coached many memorable matches, a couple of moments continue to stand out. One came in 1996, when Matt Miller scored a crucial try in the Waratah Shield semi-final at Manuka Oval against St Edmund’s College, sealing a significant victory. Another iconic moment, although after his time as head coach, was the 1999 ASC Grand Final, where Daramalan defeated St Edmund’s 18–17 at home, built on dominant forward play and determination.
Beyond results, John values the relationships formed through rugby. He still keeps in touch with former players through catch-ups, social media, and visits to Canberra, often reconnecting at Eagles matches or through his son Damian (aka Gus). These enduring connections highlight the lifelong impact of the Daramalan Rugby experience.
John believes that what makes Daramalan special is a spirit shared by great rugby programs everywhere, a willingness to compete, support one another, and stand strong in tough moments.
“The spirit is the same where boys want to play, compete and stand up for each other,” he says. “They are resilient and will contest in tough times.”
His advice to current players is simple and timeless: enjoy the game, play hard, and play safe.
Since leaving Daramalan, John has continued his involvement in education and rugby, spending time teaching and coaching in Brisbane before eventually stepping into retirement, where he even took on the unique role of driving limousines. Today, he finds great joy in watching the next generation come through, particularly his grandsons playing for the Noosa Dolphins and Sunshine Coast Grammar. Rugby remains a central part of his life, and he continues to follow the game closely, including keeping an eye on Joey Caputo, son of former Daramalan great Marco, who is making his mark at flyhalf.
Among the many stories from his coaching days, one has become part of Daramalan Rugby folklore. John often told his players:
“If you beat one player, you’re a good player. If you beat two, you’re a very good player. But if you beat three… you’re a bloody idiot!”
That philosophy was put to the test in a midweek game against The King’s School, Parramatta, when Matt Kennedy proceeded to step his way through the entire opposition, some players twice, before scoring under the posts.
“It became known as Matt’s ‘bloody idiot’ try,” John laughs.
John Coonan’s story is a testament to the enduring values of Daramalan Rugby, resilience, camaraderie, and a love for the game. His influence continues to be felt through the players he coached, the culture he helped build, and the generations who carry that spirit forward.