A former Royal Marine for six years, Paddy has been the Head of Strength and Conditioning with the Exeter Chiefs since the 2006-7 season.

He left the Marines to take a Degree in Exercise and Sports Science at Exeter University, which he combined with his first stint with the Chiefs.

He then moved north and spent four years working with Hartpury College and the Gloucester Rugby Academy as well as studying for a Masters in Coaching Science at UWIC.

A one year spell with the Worcester Warriors as an Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach followed before taking up his current role with the Chiefs.

As he prepares to move back up the M5, the 39 year old confirmed that he’s thoroughly enjoyed his time in Devon but is now looking forward to finalising arrangements for his first preseason with Gloucester.

“The bulk of the planning for preseason will take place in the next five weeks. I want to make sure it’s all spot on and work with the coaches there to ensure that the programme delivers what they want it to. But I’ve got a very good idea of what I would like to do.

“Gloucester is a proud club with passionate supporters. I’ve worked there before, albeit with the Academy. I’ve also either worked with or know most of the coaches there, which is a help.

“It wasn’t an easy decision to leave Exeter but I’ve reached the point where I felt the need to keep challenging myself which I think is important as a coach and as an individual.

“I’ve really enjoyed the six years with the Chiefs but it was a move I felt I needed to make.

“Now I’m really looking forward to the task in hand. Preseason is a crucial period for any Aviva Premiership club and Gloucester is no different.”     

The programme is run in partnership with Premiership Rugby, the Rugby Football Union, the Metropolitan Police, Active Communities Network, the Mayor’s Office, the Rugby Football Foundation and rugby charity Wooden Spoon and is delivered by the Premiership Rugby clubs. It targets young people at risk of anti-social behaviour and exclusion from school.

After making a shortlist that included programmes from Tottenham Hotspur, RBS, BSKyB, Premier League, Football Foundation and Barclays and British Cycling, Hitz triumphed at a star-studded ceremony attended by 1,750 key figures from the world of sport, including a huge number of high-profile media, entertainment and sporting celebrities alongside the most influential figures in British and European sport.

Nick Keller, the Chairman of the Sport Industry Group paid tribute to the programme which is managed by former England captain Helen Clayton.

Premiership Rugby is hoping for a unique double to be completed in July as they have been shortlisted for the best Federation or Governing Body of the Year at the worldwide Beyond Sport Awards which would ensure a stellar year for the umbrella organisation of the 12 Aviva Premiership Rugby clubs.

"It is well recognised that sport can have a hugely positive impact on communities, and rugby has a particular role to play in the crucial area of excluded youth,” said Keller.

“Hitz is a standout example of best practice – a fact not only acknowledged within the UK, as demonstrated by its success at the Sport Industry Awards, but also globally through its nomination for the Beyond Sport Awards.”

Hitz, based in the heart of the toughest inner city areas, introduces young people to rugby, helping build confidence and respect, whilst inspiring players of the future.  It also identifies opportunities for apprenticeships, as well as workshops, training and education programmes for young people.  This month Hitz registered its 1000th participant.

The very best work that the industry produced across 2011 was rewarded at the Sport Industry Awards ceremony, with the winners of each category announced following an extensive judging process involving more than 40 key figures from across the industry and 50 hours of intensive judging – fully overseen by Deloitte, the Official Independent Scrutineer of the Sport Industry Awards.

Wayne Morris, Head of Community at Premiership Rugby, said “Hitz has been running in the London boroughs of Barking and Dagenham, Croydon, Ealing, Hackney, Hounslow, Islington, Newham, Lambeth, Tower Hamlets and Southwark and we’re seeing some great results.

“This award demonstrates the impressive work being done by the programme, inspiring a generation of young people.”

Bill Hill CEO Wooden Spoon said “ Hitz has been a significant investment for Wooden Spoon and we are delighted that the project has been honoured in this way. We are looking forward to working with Premiership Rugby to take the programme out to other regions outside London”

Sally Pettipher, Campaign Director at the RFU said “HITZ constantly shows its value in the way young people on the programme are stepping up to the mark and making positive life changing decisions. Rugby union has the ability to do this through its Core Values – Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship.”

The winners of the Sport Industry Awards 2012 were unveiled on 2nd May at a glittering ceremony in London.

Pic: Jamie Oliver presents Hitz Project Manager Helen Clayton and Premiership Rugby’s Marketing Manager James Tyler with the award

The process began with an interprovincial blitz at the beginning of April that acted as an initial talent screening day to assess the players capabilities and adaptability to the sevens game.

Connacht, Leinster, Munster, Ulster and the Exiles all took part in the blitz to allow newly appointed Women’s Sevens Coach Jon Skurr to view the top players and make a decision on a reduced 21 player training and competition squad. Gemma Crowley, who is the fifteen-a-side Women’s Team Manager, will also work with the Sevens panel over their extended preparations.

In addition to the programme and structures for the Women’s team, the IRFU Club Sevens competitions, which were announced recently, are also part of the long term women’s sevens programme to continue to build a sustainable sevens culture in the women’s game.

Jon Skurr, who coached the Ireland Men’s Team in the 2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai, has selected an elite squad of 21 players which he will work with through weekend camps and rotate through three warm up tournaments in Kinsale, Amsterdam and Bournemouth during May and June.

The squad are already two weeks into the training programme and contains a number of experienced members of the Women’s Team that competed strongly in this season’s RBS 6 Nations Championship. It includes Ireland’s most capped player Lynne Cantwell, versatile back Amy Davis and strong running number 8 Joy Neville as well as a number of players who made the breakthrough at international level recently such as Ashleigh Baxter.

The IRFU yesterday received confirmation from FIRA of the Ireland Team’s entry to the European competitions that will give countries qualification for the IRB 2013 Sevens Rugby World Cup in Moscow. The qualifying schedule begins with a tournament in Ghent, Belgium from June 8th – 10th and includes strong opposition with Scotland, Poland, Georgia and Belgium seen as the main contenders.

The Ireland Team will need to have a top two finish in that competition to progress to the final European qualifying tournament. This will take place in Moscow from June 28th – July 1st, with only the top five teams going through to the World Championships the following year in the same venue.

Fiona Coghlan, Captain of the fifteen-a-side Ireland Team, who is currently recovering from injury, said, “This is a great step forward that the IRFU have taken for the women’s game and hopefully we can bring some of our recent good form and success from the fifteen-a-side game to sevens. It is a totally different type of game in terms of physical preparation and tactics, but hopefully at the end of the training camps and tournaments, we will know how far this can take us.”

Scott Walker, IRFU Director of Rugby Development and the Club Game said: “Ireland has a small pool of women players and one concern has always been about maximising the competitiveness of the team, while balancing the physical and personal demands on an extremely talented generation of amateur players.

“The results of the women’s team have been particularly encouraging, especially this season where they played an exciting brand of rugby, so this opportunity of beginning a successful sevens culture was one that was presented to the women’s panels in the four provinces. We were delighted with the response and the numbers who were willing to commit to what is an intensive programme, especially for players who are not training full time.

“The programme is a reflection of the preparation of other competing nations, who have less strong rugby traditions but have committed to the sevens game under their own Olympic elite organisation programmes and support structures. The women’s squad have begun their preparations which will hopefully culminate with qualification for the World Sevens next year, with a view to looking at future Olympic participation."

Ireland Women’s Sevens Squad *:
Ashleigh Baxter (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
Lynne Cantwell (Richmond/Exiles)
Nicole Caughey (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
Amy Davis (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
Jeannette Feighery (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Shannon Houston (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
Ashling Hutchings (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Niamh Kavanagh (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Claire Keohane (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Alison Miller (Portlaoise/Connacht)
Claire Molloy (Bristol RFC/Exiles/Connacht)
Jacqueline Mulligan (Sligo/Connacht)
Jennifer Murphy (Richmond/Exiles)
Joy Neville (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Áine Ní Chatháin (Garda RFC/Leinster)
Mollie O’Donnell (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Laura O’Mahony (Tralee/Munster)
Beth O’Brien (Oxford University/Exiles)
Rachael Potter (Saracens/Exiles)
Meadhbh Westwood (Waterloo/Exiles)

*Final player to be confirmed following April training camps.

Management:
Coach – Jon Skurr
Manager – Gemma Crowley
Physiotherapist – Dr. Ulrik McCarthy Persson
Physiotherapist – Dom Hoban
S&C Coach – Ross Callaghan
Analyst – Gillian Burke
Nutritionist – Ruth Kilcawley
Squad Coordinator – Jean Casey

Ireland Women’s Sevens Schedule:
Date/Event
April 6th: Interprovincial competition/screening (65 players)
April 13th – 28th: Weekend training camps (21 players)
May 4th – 6th: Kinsale Sevens (12 players)
May 12th – 13th: Camp (21 players)
May 18th – 20th: Amsterdam Sevens (12 players)
May 26th – 27th: Camp (21 players)
June 1st – 3rd: Bournemouth Sevens (12 players)
June 8th – 10th: FIRA Qualifying, Ghent, Belgium (12 players)
June 23rd: Camp (14 players)
June 28th – July 1st: FIRA Qualifying, Moscow (12 players)

The International Rugby Board has underscored its continued commitment to the fight against doping in Rugby by undertaking a record programme of testing and education during 2011.

With Rugby continuing to break new markets with global exposure and participation at unprecedented levels, the Game’s governing body undertook 1,714 tests (587 In Competition and 1,127 Out of Competition) across Fifteens and Sevens in every continent during a year that also saw a record blood testing programme at the flagship Rugby World Cup. The testing programme operated across Rugby World Cup 2011 (989 tests), Rugby Sevens (489 tests), Age Grade (138 tests), other IRB Fifteens tournaments (58) and regional championships (40 tests).

Despite the rigorous testing programme, there were eight Anti-Doping rule violations in 2011. That amounts to 0.46 per cent of the total testing programme. Four violations were for stimulants (Methylhexaneamine found in nutritional supplements), two were for anabolic agents (Testosterone), one for a diuretic (Probenicid) and one for a narcotic (Oxycodone) used for pain relief. There were no positive results recorded in Sevens.

The extensive testing regime was supported by the IRB’s Outreach and Keep Rugby Clean education programmes, which are run in partnership with World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), with the first-ever dedicated Rugby World Cup Keep Rugby Clean Day held during New Zealand 2011.

Commenting on the record programme, IRB Anti-Doping Manager Tim Ricketts said: "The IRB and its Member Unions are committed to the fight against doping in sport."

"This record IRB testing programme, combined with over 4,000 controls administered in 2011 by our Member Unions and their respective National Anti-Doping Organisations as well as a dedicated education programme, underlines our collaborative commitment to this critical area of the Game."

"While Rugby continues to be at the forefront in the fight against doping in sport, we have a collective responsibility to ensure that our players, physicians and administrators have access to the very best educational framework."

"This includes the education around the dangers of failing to check nutritional supplements and medications thoroughly and awareness around recreational drugs and support mechanisms. All of the violations that were recorded in 2011 could have been avoided if players and their physicians had checked the ingredients of the products against the WADA Prohibited List prior to taking them."

The IRB focused on increased educational programmes in 2011, including the delivery of Keep Rugby Clean awareness campaigns at Rugby World Cup 2011 and IRB Age Grade and Sevens events delivered to over 1,000 players during the year.

The key to player education resource is the IRB’s interactive Anti-Doping website www.keeprugbyclean.com, designed to inform the global Rugby community on all aspects of Anti-Doping.

The year also saw Argentina star and Rugby World Cup 2007 Bronze medallist Felipe Contepomi appointed to the WADA Athlete Committee. Contepomi is one of seven IRB Keep Rugby Clean Ambassadors representing men’s and women’s Fifteens and Sevens.

Editors notes:

Total global programme per year (including Union and NADO tests)

2005: 4,053 tests, 48 violations
2006: 4,782 tests, 36 violations
2007: 4,127 tests, 34 violations
2008: 5,023 tests, 54 violations
2009: 5,725 tests, 29 violations
2010: 5,618 tests, 54 violations
2011: available June 2012

In conjunction with the RFU, the club’s coaching staff will run quarterly coaching development sessions throughout the year at the Clifton RFC training base. The programme is completely free and open to coaches of all levels and ages.

Using a combination of theory, practical-based activities and question & answer sessions, the personal development courses are aimed at improving the depth of coaching skills across a range of areas.

Head Coach Liam Middleton, Academy Coach Matthew Sherratt, Academy Manager Mike Hall and Head of Strength of Conditioning Lee Douglas will each host a session centred upon a different element of the game. Two will take place before Christmas 2011, with two more in 2012.

The first of the four 90-minute sessions will take place on Monday 12 September, starting at 7pm. Matthew Sherratt will be discussing attacking philosophy, with a particular focus on coaching line-breaks.

“We’re looking to develop a coaching centre of excellence,” said the new Academy Coach and backs specialist. “The Coach Education Programme will directly benefit coaches at local schools and combination clubs. Bristol Rugby is committed to helping to nurture the next generation of players and high-quality coaching is central to this process.”

“Individual development is of paramount importance if clubs and schools in the region are to continue delivering coaching that is safe, effective and of a high quality.”

At the end of the programme, all attendants will receive a coaching information pack including a DVD compiled throughout the four sessions.

As part of the event, the trio will run a coaching session giving an overview of training themes and exercises that will be included in subsequent weeks, focusing specifically on each of their specialities.

Following tomorrow’s session they launch the programme in the west at Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow on Thursday 28 July at 7pm with a second coaching session.

The National Specialist Skills Programme is delivered to selected regional players from under-16 to under-20 level by regional specialist coaches within the four regions of the Borders, Caledonia, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

There will be twelve sessions in each of the four areas in Galashiels, Stirling, Murrayfield and Scotstoun which will run for three Mondays a month from 1 August to 28 November.   

The programme will address and focus on developing attacking principles, scrum techniques, individual tackle techniques and, for the forwards and backs respectively, restart and lineout skills and kicking and back three play.

The programme from a players point of view is by invite only, however Scottish Rugby would like to extend an open invitation to all adult and under-18 coaches across Scotland to any or all the events at whichever location best suits them. A register will be taken each evening.

He has been undertaking a progressive running programme that was conducted by Alan McCaldin on an Alter G treadmill. The anti-gravity running machine controls the pressure exerted on the body, allowing Stephen to load his knee with up to 100% of his bodyweight.

National and Provisional Physio and Strength & Conditioning units have agreed on a planned programme for Stephen which was devised by Ulster Strength & Conditioning Coach Jonny Davis. The programme is based on a comprehensive analysis of GPS data to determine appropriate volume and intensity of sessions – Global Positioning Systems track player movements on the pitch.

Ferris has not played since picking up a knee injury in Ulster’s final Heineken Cup pool game against Aironi in January.

The summer tour, from May 31 to June 12, 2011, will include games against a Madrid XV (Saturday, June 4 in Madrid), a Castilla Leon Union XV (Wednesday, June 8 in Salamanca) and a match against a Spain XV (June 11 in Valladolid).

The Spanish are currently 23rd in the International Rugby Board rankings behind Namibia and ahead of Chile and are currently in the news for having a side in the Hong Kong sevens for the first time since 2009. They played in the World Cup in 1999 and currently have 20,016 players registered with 220 clubs.

England Counties have met the Spanish national side once previously. Both took part in a FIRA Festival in South West France in 2007, when the Counties were 21-15 winners in Morlaas.

“The Spanish tour will be the second part of our 2011 programme and will focus our attention on the Bill Beaumont County Championship matches from which the players will be chosen,” said Counties Manager Mike Old.

“The 14-day trip will provide a great rugby experience for the players in terms of their development and I’m sure that the Spanish teams will all ensure that the work we do on the practice ground is fully tested.

“There will also be some outreach work with local youngsters which has proved very popular with our players on our last two trips to Korea/Japan and Canada and which adds an extra dimension to our programme.

“I know from the time I’ve been involved with the Counties just how much players get out of these trips and how much added value they take back to their clubs.

“Inevitably, there are issues surrounding selection with the club programme running into the County Championship slot and players being affected by the decision of some CBs not to enter teams.

“The basic principles of qualification through playing County rugby will still apply as our raison d’etre is to enhance that competition and encourage people to play in it. Where anomalies occur in counties which do not participate in the championship, we have to make certain sensible concessions and look at the greater good of the competition and players who want to take part in the Championship.”

Applicants must be aged between 18 and 24 years old to qualify, must be registered unemployed and able to provide a referral letter from a Job Centre Plus to confirm their eligibility.

If successful, candidates will be enrolled on a training programme which will enable them to support the growth and sustainability of community based projects, under the direction and mentoring of experienced top level coaches and support staff.  They will be offered a six month contract to start in March 2011.

The opportunity will provide valuable experience for anyone interested in a career in community sports coaching.

There are three types of community coaching opportunities being offered by Premiership Rugby – Community Coaches and Up and Unders’ Co-ordinators offered by all 14 clubs, and Hitz Coaches, offered by Saracens, Harlequins and London Irish.  There are 76 opportunities in total.  More details about each type of role are listed below.

Salary: 25 hours a week at £5.93 an hour

Applicants can apply by visiting www.jobsgameon.co.uk and typing in “Premiership Rugby” or for more information contact Scott Watson on swatson@premiershiprugby.com

A series of open days giving information about the opportunities will take place at Job Centres around the country during February 2011.

Wayne Morris, Head of Community at Premiership Rugby, said “There are 76 community coaching roles around the country being offered by the Premiership Rugby clubs.  With unemployment figures for this age-group reaching close to a million it’s a great opportunity for young people who are currently registered unemployed to get their foot on the ladder of community coaching and to gain essential skills. The successful candidates will be learning from top Premiership Rugby coaches and at the same time helping the clubs to deliver an even higher standard of community programmes through an increased number of coaches.”

Job title:              Community Coach

Reporting to:     Club Community Manager and National Programme Co-ordinator

Contract:             6 Month Contract Starting March 2011

Job purpose:

To be responsible for assisting with the delivery of a wide range of outreach community projects and supporting school services within an associated school, including assisting the delivery of lessons, after school programmes, sports fixtures, and general school liaison in accordance with the Children’s Act/OFSTED regulations, as well as supporting the delivery of Premiership Rugby Academy Camps during school holidays, in accordance with the Premiership Rugby entry criteria document.

Summary of responsibilities and personal duties:
To work alongside the club community team leader in delivering PE sessions, lunchtime clubs, after school clubs and extended school provisions
To assist in the delivery of rugby camp holiday activities at a range of sites
Course facilitation to include registering of attendees, coaching support, utilising lesson plans, and daily planning to ensure the activities remain fun, varied and progressive
Occasionally to lead coaching sessions and learning activities to educate children on leading a healthy lifestyle
To support the club community team in delivering a range of community programmes and events across a broad range of agendas including grassroots participation, health, education and inclusion topics
To assist in the delivery of activities in community areas
To support the promotion of ticket marketing opportunities through community channels
The completion of regular monitoring and evaluation returns

Skills required:
A passion and commitment to the development of young people
The ability to gain an RFU enhanced CRB clearance and a rugby coaching qualification Enthusiasm and energy to initiate activities/sessions in a safe environment and ensure the energy is maintained throughout the day
To be a role model for all children, and develop positive relations with the children including monitoring social skills, participation, discipline and welfare
The ability to communicate with a broad range of key stakeholders including teachers, sponsors and parents/guardians

A Community Coach role offers the opportunity to receive the following training and qualifications:
Level 2 (VRQ) Teaching Physical Activity to Children
Paediatric First Aid
Tag Rugby Course
IRB Rugby Ready Qualification
Safeguarding and Protecting Young People In Rugby

It would be beneficial for candidates to have a background or experience in rugby union but not essential. Every candidate must complete an RFU enhanced CRB disclosure.

Interviews for these roles will be carried out at Job Centre venues located in close proximity to each Premiership Rugby club.  The roles are all based at the clubs.

Applications should be made using an application form, which can be completed through www.jobsgameon.co.uk and found by typing in “Premiership Rugby” or for more information contact Scott Watson on swatson@premiershiprugby.com

Salary: 25 hours a week at £5.93 an hour

A series of open days giving information about the opportunity will take place at Job Centres around the country during February 2011.

Job title:              Up and Unders Co-Ordinator

Reporting to:     Club Community Manager and National Programme Co-ordinator

Contract:             6 Month Contract Starting March 2011

Job purpose:

The development of a new nationwide programme for preschool children called Up and Unders, designed to develop children’s fundamental motor skills – coordination, balance, spatial awareness, knowledge of colours, numbers and shapes, along with introductory rugby skills – passing, catching and kicking.  Up & Unders also acts as a promotion of healthy living for children and their parents/guardians.

Summary of responsibilities and personal duties:
The identification and recruitment of venues
The recruitment of new participants
The delivery of the programme to a pre-school aged audience teaching the fundamentals of movement, balance and coordination with a rugby focus
To assist in the delivery of rugby camps holiday activities at a range of sites
To assist with course facilitation to include registering attendees, coaching support,  utilising lesson plans, daily planning to ensure the activities remain fun, varied and progressive
Occasionally lead coaching sessions and learning activities to educate children on leading a healthy lifestyle
To support the club community team to deliver a range of community programmes and events across a broad range of agendas including grassroots participation, health, education and inclusion topics.

Skills required:
A passion and commitment to the development of young people
The ability to gain an RFU enhanced CRB clearance
Enthusiasm and energy to initiate activities/sessions in a fun and safe environment, ensuring the energy is maintained throughout the day
The ability to engage and communicate with young children whilst acting as a role model for all participants, developing positive relations with all children whilst monitoring skill development, social skills, participation, discipline and welfare.
The ability to communicate with a broad range of key stakeholders including young people, sponsors and parents/guardians.

Would suit:
Drama/dance/sports related graduates or college leavers/higher education leavers
Mums returning to work
Individuals with experience of delivering on early years and movement fundamentals schemes

An Up and Unders Co-ordinator role offers the opportunity to receive the following training and qualifications:
Level 2 (VRQ) Teaching Physical Activity to Children
Paediatric First Aid
Tag Rugby Course
IRB Rugby Ready Qualification
Safeguarding and Protecting Young People In Rugby

It would be beneficial for candidates to have a background or experience in rugby union but not essential. Every candidate must complete an RFU enhanced CRB disclosure.

Interviews for these roles will be carried out at Job Centre venues located in close proximity to each Premiership Rugby club.  The roles are all based at the clubs.

Applications should be made using an application form, which can be completed through www.jobsgameon.co.uk and found by typing in “Premiership Rugby” or for more information contact Scott Watson on swatson@premiershiprugby.com

Salary: 25 hours a week at £5.93 an hour

A series of open days giving information about this opportunity will take place at Job Centres around the country during February 2011.

Job Title:             Hitz Coach

Reporting to:     Hitz Programme Manager

Contract:             6 Month Contract Starting March 2011

About Hitz:

The Hitz project, using the power of rugby, targets young people in some of the most disadvantaged areas of London. For more background  information about Hitz please visit www.premiershiprugby.com/community

Job purpose:

To lead and deliver rugby sessions.  To develop young people’s enthusiasm and participation in rugby and direct them into relevant training courses and volunteering opportunities.  To ensure activities are correctly targeted at identified priority groups and areas according to need.

Summary of responsibilities and personal duties:
To develop, in conjunction with the project manager and Hitz officers, a suitable social inclusion rugby programme
To assist, lead and coordinate rugby sessions at various venues, and coordinating competitions and other events as appropriate.  All activities to be appropriate to the needs of the target audience and be in line with the Hitz strategic aims.
To be responsible for the high quality delivery of community and social inclusion sessions as agreed in the programme
To keep accurate monitoring records for all sessions and contribute to the gathering and analysis of evaluation information for activities
To identify and direct young people onto relevant training and volunteering opportunities
To identify and direct young people towards local exit route rugby clubs
To maximise opportunities to raise awareness amongst the target audience of rugby activities and encourage their participation
To assist Hitz officers in producing reports for the project manager, funding agencies and related partners as required
To identify and follow-up potential opportunities to develop activities in line with the strategic development of the Hitz programme

Skills:
A passion and commitment to the development of young people
The ability to gain an RFU enhanced CRB clearance and rugby coaching qualification.
Enthusiasm and energy to initiate activities/sessions in a safe secure environment
The ability to be a role model for all young people and develop positive relations with them to encourage participation, improvement of social skills, discipline and respect
The ability to communicate with a broad range of key stakeholders including teachers, sponsors and parents/guardians
The completion of accurate and regular monitoring and evaluation reports.

A Hitz Coach role offers the opportunity to receive the following training and qualifications:
Level 2 (VRQ) Teaching Physical Activity to Children
Paediatric First Aid
Tag Rugby Course
IRB Rugby Ready Qualification
Safeguarding and Protecting Young People In Rugby

It would be beneficial for candidates to have a background or experience in rugby union but not essential. Every candidate must complete an RFU enhanced CRB disclosure.

Interviews for these roles will be carried out at Job Centre venues located in close proximity to each Premiership Rugby club.  The roles are all based at the clubs.

Applications should be made using an application form, which can be completed through www.jobsgameon.co.uk and found by typing in “Premiership Rugby” or for more information contact Scott Watson on swatson@premiershiprugby.com

Salary: 25 hours a week at £5.93 an hour

A series of open days giving information about this opportunity will take place at Job Centres around the country during February 2011.

The insurance experts are supporting key programmes for grassroots rugby in England, including Scrum Factory, which aims to recruit and train front row players together with developing all players in the scrum.

Pupils from Tiffin School, Kingston, attended  the launch at Tower Place, supported by RFU community rugby coaches and England scrummaging coach Graham Rowntree.

Gary Henderson, the RFU’s Head of Coach and Player Development, said: “Scrum Factory is about recruitment and retention of players, underpinned by coaching development. The truly competitive scrum is unique to rugby union and we need to train people who can play in the front row safely and regularly. The Scrum Factory is an over-arching programme that’s supported by continuous personal development for coaches.

“We’re very good at recruiting young people but the challenge is to retain them and a lot of that boils down to good coaching and appropriate competitions. With that in mind the RFU has developed a number of short courses, over two or three hours, which complement our normal qualification structure and are designed for coaches who may want to develop their own knowledge of scrum or lineout play. We are extremely thankful that Marsh are supporting this important programme.”

Rowntree said: “Props and hookers are vital to every team and to play in those positions requires a huge amount of skill and technique. Marsh’s support of Scrum Factory enables us to extend the coaching of those techniques up and down the country and recruit more players into the front row which, for me, is great news.

“I was lucky enough to have had some very talented coaches throughout my playing career and without those guys I wouldn’t be here today. I’m sure the players involved in Scrum Factory will find the expert coaching just as beneficial.”

Martin Rayfield, Executive Director, Marsh UK, said: “As official insurance broker to the RFU we are delighted to strengthen further our excellent relationship with the Union in this way. We particularly welcome the opportunity to support programmes for grassroots rugby, of which the Scrum Factory is a part, as well as the RFU’s 2,000 member clubs.”

Marsh’s association with the RFU also includes the RFU’s Emergency First Aid Course, Concussion Awareness Programme, Injury Surveillance Project and Leadership Academy.

The programmes:

Scrum Factory
The scrum is unique to rugby union, as are the players who play in it. The sport needs continually to produce capable and skilled players particularly in the front row and second row to participate safely in the scrum. By developing the numbers of front row players, we will also ensure fewer games are cancelled. The Scrum Factory is a coach and player development programme running nationwide and incorporating some of the best know ‘scrummagers’ in the country. A new scrum coaching DVD resource will be developed to run alongside the programme.

RFU’s Emergency First Aid Course
To provide a safe environment in which the game can be enjoyed by all, the course is open to clubs to encourage members, coaches and volunteers to attend a first aid training course so they can respond to basic first aid situations with confidence. This unique first aid qualification ensures that a nominated individual can take charge of any first aid need and incident, calling in the emergency services when required.

Concussion Awareness
To raise awareness and the dangers of concussion via an education programme for coaches, players, and parents of youth players.

Injury Surveillance
In association with the Sport and Exercise Science Research Group at the University of Bath, the project is funded by the RFU Injured Players Foundation and is designed to monitor trends in injury over time, gain the necessary insight into the possible causes and patterns of injury to enable more detailed research into these and to enable implementation of measures to prevent injury. The study, now in its second season of full data capture, records physiotherapist interactions with players on match days from 86 grassroots clubs in England.

Leadership Academy
The RFU Leadership Academy aims to identify, support and develop the next generation of talented, enthusiastic and skilled leaders for clubs, referee societies and constituent bodies. It complements existing club and constituent body succession plans by helping potential leaders develop the skills and confidence to step up to the next level of leadership. The programme seeks to use best practice in leadership development in the context of the voluntary rugby environment including facilitating networking opportunities to allow participants to share experiences and solutions on similar rugby issues.

About RFU
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) is the National Governing Body for rugby union in England and supports participants and fans from the grassroots to the national team.
About Marsh
Marsh, the world’s leading insurance broker and risk adviser, has over 24,000 employees and provides advice and transactional capabilities to clients in over 100 countries. Marsh is a member of Marsh & McLennan Companies, a global professional services firm with over 50,000 employees worldwide and annual revenue of $10 billion, which is also the parent company of Guy Carpenter, the risk and reinsurance specialist; Mercer, the provider of HR and related financial advice and services; and Oliver Wyman, the management consultancy. Its stock (ticker symbol: MMC) is listed on the New York, Chicago and London stock exchanges