Monday…Up and away early for a Primary school cluster meeting at St Barts with Charlie Piatt and Jonny Roberts, spoke about primary school coaching in Armley and Wortley, engaging NVQ students in community coaching…brill for me, means I can assess them in a work placement situation…bingo all going ahead in spring….much needed coffee was welcome too to keep me going.
On to another meeting for 10am, Henry Sharpe from Leeds City College. Catch with course I run, NVQ Level 2, Rugby League Coaching…another coffee but no biscuit, was his turn too….great meeting and good directives for next year.
Back to work at Kirkstall Academy to prepare for the Pie n Pea Community Clubs Evening at the Premier Suite Headingley Carnegie Stadium. Got into office switched on the computer and started to finalise the powerpoint presentation for the event. Up to Headingley for 3.00pm to meet Abigail our marketing manager. Abigail finalised the presentation and added her bits. Up to the room for a dry run and shoot straight off home to get changed, back for 6.15pm to see guest arriving already. Event went well and was attended by 17 clubs. Got out all the offers for forth coming season and had 2 pies to top the night off, home for 10pm.
Tuesday… 8.30am start, meeting with new General Manager Lucy Young in the Carnegie Café Bar, my one to one…presented Lucy with document of my role at the club and all events I run, good meeting and got a coffee bought, doing well for coffees and only Tuesday.
Meeting at 10.30am with Charlie Piatt…looking at new school projects for 2012, and development of Rugby League, links with Primary and High Schools and Amateur Clubs.
Back to office and bring the register and finance up to date for tonight’s Tuesday Touch programme at Soccer City, last one for 2011, knees up afterwards with all the players. Pick up the famous Richard Tate at 6.15pm and down to Soccer City, take register, meet and greet and set up pitches. 65 playing this week, Tony Aubrey, put them into nine teams, 2 pitches and off we go for 2 hours of fun footy….Photos, knees up with the players and refs and drop Richard off at 10.30pm, great night.
Wednesday….. Up and out for a meeting at John Charles Centre for Sport at 9.00pm…Greeted by Andy Hague and Leon Walker and more importantly a coffee and scone. The meeting went well, discussing the new coaching workshop delivery for 2012 and the Leeds Rugby Coach Association (LRCA), going forward, a new concept to bring together all coaches in Leeds and surrounding area’s to enhance coach education ,share best and current practice…good result and discussed education content, delivery.
Back to Kirkstall and last bits of prep for our annual visit to the hospital with all LRF staff and Rhinos squad. Met coach and players at 11.45am for a 12.30pm start. Players sang 12 days of Christmas for the media and then on our way. Players divided into groups and me and John Ahm loaded with bags full of pressies for the kids. The players were great and had so much time for the kids in the wards. We get so much out of this and more importantly the kids love to see us. Back on the bus for 3.15pm pick up my car and back to Kirkstall Academy to pick up Ronnie, Superleague Trophy and Mark Shutt.
On our way at 6.15pm to Hunslet Carr Sports and Social club for the Hunslet Community Talent Icon Competition. Met up with up and coming star, Ryan Smith, brother of Lee Smith. Just like X Factor, sat at the front with Ryan, Ronnie and myself….20 great acts from the Hunslet Community of all types…The Magician came up top, fantastic future that lad. Photos, signings and then on our way at 9.45pm.
Thursday…. Up at Headingley Carnegie Stadium for 8.30am in the cricket classroom delivery a lesson on NVQ coaching standards and simulation injuries to my NVQ students. Grabbed a coffee at break and then started practical studies with Paul PD Daly. Scored a cheeky try on a good line against a rather self-assured 17 year old, roll back the years, made my day. Back down to Kirkstall Academy for a 1.15pm start in the wrestle room, students delivering what they had learnt in the morning. Richard Tate ever present, helping keep the lads in check. Finished session at 3.45pm and then admin work in office for an hour.
A catch up in Leeds at the evening with other tutors from Leeds City College and in bed for midnight.
Friday ……In office in morning sorting out emails for Boxing Day offer and generally prepping for 2012, finished at 12 noon to get back a few hours for my evening work. Out at a 5Oth that evening to ley my hair down, good to see old friends.
Saturday ……Up and about early doing my chores before picking Mark Shutt up at 6.30pm for our next Super League Trophy Viewing at West Leeds ARLFC. 7.30pm start and we met up with Ian Kirke and Luke Briscoe. The players were really good with the young kids and interacted well with the Christmas games. Ronnie did a great turn and Santa finished the night off with pressies for everyone. Photos and signings.
Sunday…. Chilled out in the morning and went for an invitation Lunch…..busy week.