Leeds Rhinos Head Coach Brian McDermott began the build up to Friday’s Super League Semi Final at Warrington by swapping the playing squad for a Police squad when he attended the North East Leeds Police senior management training day at the Moyes community centre in Seacroft on Monday.
Chief Inspector Melanie Jones had heard him speak at an event on Restorative Practice in March and felt strongly that there were messages from the elite sport coaching world that would apply to police leaders.
Leeds Rugby Foundation Trustee Bob Bowman, himself a serving Police Officer, asked Brian if he would speak to the group and the inspirational coach readily accepted.
Brian spoke in depth for an hour on three main areas; leadership styles, management, and motivation and his honest and engaging talk had the full attention of the 21 senior Police Officers prompting many questions.
"I have heard Brian speak on many occasions to diverse groups of people and he really does have a talent for engaging with and captivating them,” Bob Bowman commented. “I know my colleagues got a lot out of his input and the feedback was really positive. He speaks with such passion and utilising his careers within rugby league and the Royal Marines adds massive credibility to his sound advice.”