I am the Leeds Rhinos Primary School Development Officer. I am in charge of delivering coaching sessions in primary schools. The programme involves a 4 week coaching block and rugby festival as well as an assembly based on ‘Creating a Winning Team’ or ‘Healthy Lifestyles’ alongside my good friend ‘Ronnie the Rhino’. I also co-ordinate the 16+ touch rugby competition at Soccer City, Leeds alongside the legend that is Sam Horner.
The coaching program gives the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of how to play rugby. At the end of the 4 week coaching program the primary schools are then invited to play in a festival against fellow schools at an amateur club setting. This is a great way to see the students showcase their skills they have learnt and also for them to further their interest in rugby at a local amateur club.
The touch rugby is coming to the end of the winter program which cumulates in a knees up at the end of the program- something I am looking forward to.We have had a great turn out for the program and have had players join us from the previous summer program which include some local amateur clubs such as, Farnley Falcons Masters, West Leeds ARLFC, Stanningley ARLFC, and Farnley Falcons Girls Team as well as lots of new turn up an and play players who've joined us.
Monday
Monday started off very well, the weather was perfect as I headed off to deliver a coaching session at St Joseph’s Pudsey. When I arrived I got stuck to my usual routine, of staff room with a cup of tea and biscuits. I do know that the class 5 teacher regrets offering me a biscuit on the first day. I have made a big hole in the biscuit tin. However as I enjoyed my pot of tea something didn’t seem quite right and it didn’t hit home until the class 5 teacher walked in and asked me what I was doing there. I then realised that class 5 were not in school they were on a trip. WHAT A DONUT! I had been told the previous week but just forgot, so as you can imagine I wasn’t as cheerful anymore. I then set of to university at a snail’s pace as I had a lot of time to kill, which I found unusual as my life seems to be one big rush. After a very exciting lecture on exercise and the environment, I headed back out into the environment to deliver another coaching session at Park Spring Primary School. I was met by a very enthusiastic bunch off kids who were still exited from the assembly several weeks ago, I found it a little strange that they were still singing ‘Ronnie’, ‘Ronnie’, ‘Ronnie’ at me after about 10 minutes.
Tuesday
Tuesday morning started with two consecutive sessions at Pudsey South Royd. The first group are a nice small, quite group and a non-sporty group, but they get involved and they have fun. There are certainly 3 or 4 who would do really well at an amateur club. On the whole though the girls seem better than the boys. The second session is the total opposite. This group is very sporty with some talented footballers, although I think I have managed to convert a few. Now its dinner time, my favourite part of the day. After my feast I headed to Greenside Primary School for another 3 coaching sessions. One group in particular stood out- my third group who have at least 4 or 5 rugby union playing kids who always have a list ready for me as to why rugby union is better than league. So this week I gave them a little lecture as to why I thought rugby league was far superior. Later in the evening I was at soccer city for the touch and pass in which we had over 60 participants in an event where the standard increases every week. It had been a long day and I was ready for home as I had nearly been talked to sleep by Sam Horner.
Wednesday
A boring start to Wednesday morning as I’m at university for three hours. From there I head to Pudsey Primrose Hill primary school for another coaching session. Primrose Hill are a very keen school and their there timings are like clockwork and they seriously know how to work me, buts it’s all good fun. The class teacher even informed me that each class have done extra rugby this week in PE. It was evident during the sessions- I had three fantastic sessions.
Thursday
Another busy day today, it starts off with a coaching session first thing at Swinnow Primary School. They are a fantastic sporty class who have a few pupils who attend the Rhinos activity camps. I found out today that one of the pupils is a nephew of England Forward Gareth Ellis-that’s the last time I will ask him to demonstrate. From there it was a quick dash to university and a race against time to make the start of the lecture. After the lecture I was straight to Pudsey Lowtown for a coaching session. The teacher informed me that they couldn’t attend the festival next week as they are away on residential, which is a shame as they would have done their school proud.
Friday
Friday is a long full day at university, though I’m looking forward to the weekend and playing rugby at the weekend.
I’m also looking forward to the festival next week, where the standard should be really good. Hopefully we will get some decent weather, which should make in an interesting and very competitive event. I cannot pick a winner…..
I hope I haven’t bored you too much?