Specialist skills programme launched by Scotland coaches

image Scotland international coaches Gregor Townsend (attack), Graham Steadman (defence) and Duncan Hodge (kicking) are set to kick off Scottish Rugby’s 2011 National Specialist Skills Programme at Murrayfield tomorrow (25 July).

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.

Ferris making injury progress

Stephen Ferris has returned to pitch based running this week as he targets a return to playing action.

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.

England Counties XV heading for Spain

Mike Old - England Counties XV ManagerThe England RU Counties XV, the representative flagship of the community game outside the Aviva Premiership, will play three matches in Spain in June 2011.

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.”

Coaching opportunities with Premiership Clubs

The 12 Premiership Rugby clubs – Bath Rugby, Exeter Chiefs, Gloucester Rugby, Harlequins, Leeds Carnegie, Leicester Tigers, London Irish, London Wasps, Newcastle Falcons, Northampton Saints, Sale Sharks and Saracens – along with Bristol Rugby and Worcester Warriors, currently have opportunities for 76 new Community Coaching roles as part of their Future Jobs Fund Scheme.

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.

Tower of strength at Marsh for RFU Scrum Factory

marsh Marsh today hosted the launch of the Rugby Football Union’s Scrum Factory programme at its offices in the City of London.

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