Leeds Rhinos Foundation’s Coach Education programme is ‘vital’ to helping the development of Rugby League in the city say local coaches who have attended the workshops since they began in 2013
Prior to the launch of the 2016 Coach Education programme this Monday at Headingley Carnegie Stadium, coaches from the community have commended the workshops for their role in developing the game at grassroots level.
The programme is part of the charity’s Rugby League Development Plan, sponsored by Mears, and is led by head coach of the treble-winning Leeds Rhinos side Brian McDermott.
Over the season coaches of all abilities have attended workshops dedicated to areas such as strength and conditioning, kicking and coaching fundamental skills with all club representatives, committee members and people working with junior age groups able to benefit from the unique coaching insights.
Richard Hunter, who has coached Drighlington and Birstall Victoria Under-16s and Under 18s has attended the workshops for the last three years says credits the sessions having aided his development as a coach and thinks they are so important to helping the game progress.
“It is vital that the workshops with Brian McDermott continue, to help coaches develop, if you want to be the best you need teaching by the best,” said Richard.
“When I started coming on these workshops three years ago, I was just a coach that thought I was doing everything correct, and with being an ex-player I was expecting coaching to be a breeze.
“Attending the workshops though really opened my eyes in the coaching world. My coaching experience has gone from strength to strength and I have been taught so much by being guided by the Leeds Coaching staff, especially Brian McDermott, which it’s a massive credit that he wants to give up his own time to come and try teach coaches to coach.
“I have attended the sessions and watched, listened and learned from Brian and head conditioner Jason Davidson’s conditioning sessions are out of this world. I have coached at club level with Drighlington and Birstall Victoria, I have won three league medals and one play-off final winners medals,
“These education programs have developed me so much has a coach. In January this year I was chosen to be assistant coach for the open age, for the Heavy Woollen district. I was then chosen to coach Yorkshire Under-19s, the team went on to win the Tri series county Trophy at my first attempt at coaching representative Rugby League.”
“I would not have managed any this without the help on these workshops, so it would be great if more coaches could turn up to these events, and just see that if you are prepared to put the hard yards in, anybody can reap the benefits.
“I want to thank the Leeds Rhinos Foundation personally for creating these works shops and long may they continue, as the proof is here that there is more to rugby if you work hard enough for it.
“Thank you to the staff at Leeds Rhinos Foundation, Sam Horner and Leon Crick along with Brian and Jason. My Coaching journey would not be the same, if I had not come on the Leeds Rhinos Foundation, coaching education programme.”
The schedule for 2016 starts this Monday with an introductory session led by Leeds Rhinos Head Coach Brian McDermott, who will provide an overview of last year’s programme and lay out the schedule over the coming months.
The programme this year is set to include position specific and game specific workshops, more ‘On The Road’ sessions with the Leeds Rhinos Academy, workshops focussing on strength, conditioning and nutrition led by Rhinos coaching staff and workshops offered by the Foundation on Primary Rugby League coaching.
The Coach Education programme is open to coaches of all age groups, committee members and club representatives and is free to attend.
For more information on the how to get involved with Coach Education contact sam.horner@leedsrugbyfoundation.org
A video of last years Conditioning for Rugby League Workshop led by Leeds Rhinos Head of Athletic Performance Jason Davidson is available to view below: