Rugby League coaches across Leeds are being given the opportunity to attend coaching workshops led by treble winning Leeds Rhinos head coach Brian McDermott, who was last week named UK Sports Coach of the Year.
McDermott will continue his support in 2016 for Leeds Rhinos Foundation’s Coach Education programme which is part of the charity’s Rugby League development plan sponsored by Mears.
Since the plan was devised in 2013 the official charity of Leeds Rhinos has been committed to working with coaches in schools and at community clubs to assist with the development of players of all ages and to improve standards throughout the game.
Speaking about McDermott’s involvement, Leeds Rhinos Foundation’s community club’s development officer Sam Horner said:
“To have someone of the calibre of Brian McDermott leading our coach education programme has been hugely beneficial for our Rugby League Development plans. Brian has achieved so much in the game as both a player as a coach and has a great amount of knowledge that he is able to pass on.
“The feedback we get from the coaches who attend our programme is always positive and they are pleased to be able to have the opportunity to learn from Brian and also share their own experiences of the game with their fellow coaches. We are extremely grateful to Brian and his coaches for their support and their commitment to helping the game at grassroots level, their understanding of the clubs needs has been tremendous.”
McDermott added:
“I think the Coach Education programme is a great initiative and something I enjoy being part of. Community clubs and schools play a vital role in the development of our game and rely on the dedicated work of individuals who care passionately about Rugby League and its future, so I am pleased to help and support them through these workshops.”
Last year the Coach Education programme involved dedicated sessions on areas such as fundamental skills, conditioning to age specific coaching and in 2016 there will be a further 14 sessions.
For more information on Coach Education contact sam.horner@leedsrugbyfoundation.org