An Under 7 – Under 13 Children’s Level One course is being introduced for the first time. With over two thirds of the coaches in Wales coaching children between the ages of seven and 13, the WRU recognises that coaches who work within the WRU pathway need access to a course that suits the needs and skills of those participants.
As a result, the new Level One course will ensure coaches will be able to safely organise and supervise rugby union activities with young children.
It will also provide an understanding and ability of how to coach:
• Warm up, game and skill development.
• The Tag Game.
• Fundamental movement and coordination.
• Tackling, contact skill, individual scrum profile and setting a scrum.
• Line out throw, safe jumping and supporting.
• Planning and organisation, safe practice the use of games for understanding and small sided games.
The course is designed for coaches who deliver sessions for our very youngest players, while there is also a new Under 14 – Adult Level One course starting soon, one which caters for older players.
A newly revamped Level Two course will be introduced next month and a National Level Three course also kicks off in October.
The Under 14 – Adult Level One course, which will be running from September, will enable a coach to:
• Safely organise and supervise rugby union activities.
• Demonstrate an understanding of an ability to coach,
• Coach handling skills, tackling, contact and continuity, the eight man scrum and line-out, throwing and support techniques.
• Demonstrate an understanding of player development, good coaching practice, coaching skills, health and safety and the laws of the game of rugby union.
• Identify and adapt rugby union activities and sessions for a variety of different age groups.
“Our officers have been extremely busy working on re-structuring and up-grading all our courses making them fit for purpose,” said WRU National Coach Development Manager Gerry Roberts.
“We were conscious that some of the courses didn’t fit in with the club remit of some of our club coaches.
“Hopefully the changes we have made will encourage a new breed of young coaches to come through the ranks.
“It’s all part of our aim to keep Wales punching above its weight as a nation in the coaching world.”
