The Leeds Rhinos Foundation delivered the first of three new Coach Education Workshops introduced to the Coach Education programme in 2015 aimed at coaching Primary Rugby League with 73 community coaches and parents in attendance.
The workshop organised by Community Clubs Development Officer Sam Horner and delivered by Projects Officer Adam Lunn, along with Partner Schools Officer Tony Aubrey saw the biggest turnout of the year so far, with 73 community coaches, parents and people from the community of Rugby League interested in taking the first steps to coaching coming together for the introduction to coaching primary rugby league workshop.
The workshop started with an overview explanation of what Primary Rugby League’s delivery objectives are, covering a description of SOL – Stability, Object Control and Locomotion, small sided games and a video on the capabilities of a child's expected motor skills at each level of development with a short explanation on how the drills showcased over the course of the evening could be related in game situations.
Following the indoor presentation, the workshop continued on the field with a practical coaching session with the Shaw Cross Sharks under 8s team who worked through a series of designed drills to simulate basic Rugby League movements and match skills with a focus on engagement and enjoyment.
To reinforce the intended learning outcomes from the drills, coaches were given tick sheets to spot different types of movements, skills and the latter's relationship with actually playing the game that were observed during the drills.
To finish off the evening, a review of the observation was delivered by the Leeds Rhinos Foundation staff who included an open discussion on the nights delivery, news on the next workshop on developing the ‘Skills to play Primary Rugby League’ finally handing out attendance certificates.
Coaches on the night, Tony Aubrey and Adam Lunn finished off with a brief explanation and overview of how the attendees can further their coaching and continue their development of coach education before Sam Horner concluded the night by thanking all coaches for giving up their valuable time.
Horner commented:
“As we mentioned at different times over the course of the night, the most important message for the coaches attending tonight is to be inventive in their own sessions and build on what they might have picked up from tonight. There is no magic drill for coaching Rugby League but the main thing is to be innovative and enjoy the sessions and the kids will in turn enjoy playing the game.”
“Big thanks to Shawcross under 8s and their coach Richard Stephenson for coming down and taking part in the practical session, having that visual example for the coaches is vital as they can better understand the drills but also see a good example of the style of coaching from Adam and Tony who are full time coaches for the Foundation.”
Under 8s Coach at Shawcross Sharks, Richard Stephenson added:
“The kids loved the session tonight and the benefits of observing our players for all coaches was a great insight into how kids can be kept busy, learn lots of skills but still have fun.”
The next Primary Rugby League Coach Education workshop and the second in the series will take place on the 20th of July at Leeds Rugby training ground from 6.30pm (7pm start).
The evenings delivery will be based on a on a mix of informative and educational discussion, practical delivery, review and an open forum lead by the coaches.
‘The Skills to play workshop’ will target those that already have a level 1 qualification in coaching RL, those interested in knowing more and those interested in the development needs of children playing the game.
A video of the Coaching Primary Rugby League Workshop is available below:
To book a place or for more information on Coach Education contact: LRCAbooking@leedsrugby.com