ADOPTED son Terry Fanolua has 'come home' to Gloucester – to help shape the county's rugby players into the stars of tomorrow.
During a six year French odyssey, which saw his playing days cut short by injury, the former Cherry and Whites stalwart turned his hand to coaching.
The imposing centre played more than 100 league games for the Cherry and Whites and believes that wealth of experience gives him the edge.
The 39-year-old said: "My playing experience is my strength in coaching.
"That's why I wanted to take up coaching, because I want to share with the young my playing experiences, and give them what I know now, and help them improve and make them better.
"I'm bringing a lot of experience and a lot of knowledge. I've been coached by great coaches over the years. The knowledge they have instilled in me, I want to give back to the youngsters."
While Fanolua is currently spending his time doing gardening, DIY and enjoying the weather, he is itching to get back to work, and hopes to be able to announce a coaching position in the very near future.
He added: "I don't like sitting around twiddling my thumbs!
"It makes me want to pull my hair out. I've been talking to a few organisations in the area and hopefully soon, I will have something to do.
"At the moment, I don't really mind where, as long as there is a coaching spot and something I want to do in the long term."
The Samoan international moved to Gloucester in 1997, and has not lived anywhere else in the UK.
He said it was the people, and more importantly the Gloucester Rugby fans, who have brought him back to the area.
Fanolua said: "Over the years, I've made a lot of good friends in the area.
"But the fans of Gloucester Rugby are very passionate people and that's what made me enjoy my time here, especially running out at Kingsholm.
"Those people, when they're chanting your name, it makes you want to put the body on the line and repay them for having faith in you and your teammates.
"They come out in the snow and the rain – they were always there. That's something I really enjoyed.
"I'm a very passionate person and when I go out on the pitch, I am representing Gloucester Rugby. That's something I take pride in."
After ten seasons with Gloucester, the giant midfielder moved to Brive in 2007, before knee injuries curtailed his career. Two knee surgeries and a prolonged recovery period later, Fanolua took on a player-coach role at Federale One side Le Bugue.
"It was frustrating at first. It was one of those two years where I didn't see much playing time," he said.
"The cartilage problems took ages to heal and it was tough and I had to wait. I finished my two years at Brive, and then wanted to head back to Gloucester.
"But I decided to give up rugby completely and concentrate on coaching.
"I moved to Federale Two team Soyaux Angoulême and became their head coach. Due to injuries to the players, I had to put the boots back on.
"My heart is still there for playing, but my body is not. If my knees were fine I would carry on playing."
Fanolua played for Samoa in two World Cups, and said that the experience was 'very special'.
"It is something that every player strives towards, to represent their country," he added. "I was fortunate enough to do it for the World Cups, and that's where the best of the best show off their talent."
