THE WELSH RUGBY UNION has enlisted some of the biggest names in the game to launch the next phase of its Continuous Professional Development (CPD) programme for community coaches at all levels.
Stars from each of the four regions, alongside WRU Coach Development Officers, are running practical tutorials throughout Wales on coaching key rugby techniques including passing, catching and gripping, and safe scrummage.
The likes of Aaron Shingler and Rhodri Williams (Scarlets), Josh Navidi and Rhys Patchell (Blues) and ex-players Peter Rogers (Dragons) and Duncan Jones (Ospreys) are just some of rugby stars involved in the initiative.
The hands-on sessions for coaches are also supported by online video tutorials from national squad players including Dan Biggar and Sam Warburton and recent internationals Chris Horsman, Robert Sidoli and Mathew Rees, with contributions to come from Gareth Anscombe, Rhys Webb and Rhodri Jones – where the players talk through training techniques and example drills.
The courses are free of charge and available to anyone coaching in the game in Wales. They are part of the WRU ‘Let Us Play’ initiative aimed at safeguarding rugby values in Wales and ensuring best practise coaching techniques are shared across the WRU from the National Squad to the grass roots community game.
Wales Head Coach Warren Gatland said: “CPD courses are our way of sharing the latest coaching techniques across all levels and formats of the game. The sessions have been thoughtfully developed to show coaches how to encourage excellence, promote safety and bring fun to training sessions. They are good for player development but, equally as important, they are a great way for coaches to develop their own skills.”
WRU’s National Coach Development Manager Gerry Roberts said: “In addition to providing a fun, relaxed learning environment CPD events are a forum for coaches to communicate freely on matters that arise in week-to-week rugby delivery and to get feedback from Coach Development Officers, elite players and peers.
“The support of key players from across the regions and from the national squad reflects just how important community coach development is to maintaining the high standard of rugby we enjoy at all levels of the game in Wales.”
The new round of courses builds on the successful launch of the CPD programme in September. Since then over 3,000 Welsh community coaches and 3,000 players have benefited from a WRU CPD sessions.
CPD sessions cater for coaches of all levels of experience and for all levels of delivery from children up to the adult game. To find out when sessions will run in your region and to book a place visit http://bit.ly/wrucpdbooking
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