Movie Analysis: Forever Strong

“I don’t do ANYTHING to embarrass myself, my team and my family.” Rick Penning began to live by this after his life-changing experience with the Highland Rugby team with Larry Gelwix as coach. Forever Strong is a movie that shows how a boy can be changed into a man with guidance from someone who cares less about winning, but more about making his players better people.

Rick Penning was a high school rugby player who was the captain of his team where all of his teammates, including himself, resorted to doing drugs and drinking. One night he decided to drive drunk and seriously injure another person, resulting in him being sentenced to a Boys’ Juvenile Detention Center. He then was put on the infamous Highland Rugby team and began

to learn what it meant to be a good teammate, leader, and man.
The Highland Rugby team was led by the famous, Larry Gelwix. He had a different way of coaching that ultimately it led to the very impressive career record of 361-9. His coaching style is one that revolved around becoming better people.
Gelwix’s philosophy is, “You boys might think I coach because, uh, I love rugby and I love to win - both true - but I keep coaching because of you guys. That's why I'm more interested in turning out champion boys than champion teams. I want you to be forever strong on the field so you'll be forever strong off it.”
Glewix coaching style was one that focused on building trust, teamwork, and on becoming a better person. These three things played a major role in the transformation of Rick Penney.
The honor code and trust played a major part in the success the team. When a rule was broken, it was the player’s responsibility to tell the coach. In the movie, Rick was given some drugs while at the detention center, and while visiting with Gelwix, he told him that he had been using drugs. Rick was surprised that he told Gelwix. Glewix told Rick that the reason he told him that was because he finally was able to trust Gelwix and what he was teaching. The players were expected to trust in one another and the coaches. Rick questioned many things that Gelwix said, but later realized the importance of what Gelwix was trying to teach them.
Teamwork was another key component for the team.

Each member has to play for the team, not himself. In the movie, Rick was one to play for himself. He learned the hard way that that will get you nowhere. The way to success is to work as a team and build good team chemistry. This was shown when Gelwix required his team to go help out at a local children’s hospital. The team came together to help do some yard work and play with the children there. Highland also believed in a brotherhood among the past and future players. The team had a pregame chant that stood for everything they believed in as a program. The “Kia Kaha” says, “respect for our family, and our ancestors. We stand on this field ready for battle. On our backs we feel the might of tradition, remembering and honoring our family and ancestors who have gone before. Over our hearts we bear the emblem to die for.”

Gelwix also believed in his players and who they could become. Gelwix believed in Rick 100 percent and believed that he could change for the better. He pushed Rick to his limits to see the true potential he possessed. He was dedicated to his team. He wanted the boys to focus on what lies ahead and not to focus on what happened in the past because you can’t change what happened then. He also wanted his players not just to be the best rugby player, but the best men they could be. Gelwix was a coach that inspired his players for a common purpose of becoming the best versions of

themselves.
Gelwix’s leadership style worked exceptionally well throughout his career, especially with the team seen in the movie. It worked because he just didn't care about creating a champion athlete, but champion men. He wanted his players to be exceptional on and off the field. He held his players to a very high standard which led to the team’s overall success as a program and as individuals.
Gelwix and his coaching style inspire me, I respect him so much for what he has accomplished. I especially am inspired how he played a part in Rick Penney’s transformation from a troubled teen to an exceptional man. He saw how much potential Rick had, and believed in him 100 percent of the time. I would have loved to have him as a coach because he was an excellent coach in my mind.
The role of a coach is to support and believe in his player, which is exactly what Larry Gelwix did. He held his boys to a higher standard, so they could learn the necessary ways to living a successful life on and off the field. All of the Highland Rugby team grew up to be extraordinary men, thanks to Gelwix and his coaching style. Gelwix said, “I want you to be forever strong on the field so you'll be forever strong off it.”