15
ULSTER
RUGBY
Rugby is flourishing in Ulster with more players, teams,
and volunteer’s involved and improvements in facilities and
performances evident.
However I’d like you to consider possibly one
of the most influential roles in developing the
game, that of the COACH.
Tonight we are recognising some of the top
club and school coaches in Ulster. These
coaches have committed themselves to
expanding their coaching knowledge and
skills through attendance at IRFU Coach
Education courses and then applying this
knowledge to their own team and coaching
environment. As well as giving up their time to
attend courses, each coach is required to log
a minimum of 60 hours practical coaching,
pass the Laws Test, complete Player Welfare
certification and demonstrate their ability to
plan, deliver and review through observed
coaching sessions and other tasks.
Derek Suffern, Head Coach of Ballynahinch
RFC & Wallace High School, has recently
completed his IRFU Stage 5 Coaching
Accreditation. Derek has coached various
Age Grade Representative teams’ both at
provincial and national levels and to achieve
this top award he was required to demonstrate
a competency in planning, alignment of plans
and empowerment underpinned by a greater
self-awareness of personality and leadership
style.
RUGBY COACHING IN ULSTER
RUGBY COACHING IN ULSTER
BY ALISTAIR BROWN
THE FOUR SUB-SECTIONS OF
BEST-PRACTICE COACHING
AT THIS LEVEL ARE:
PLANNING
Operational plans, periodical fitness
& conditioning, seasonal plans, game
planning based on team profile and
planning for specific opposition and
long-term development.
ALIGNMENT OF PLANS
Coaching skills, presentation skills,
media skills, time management, match
management, match analysis, sports
psychology (profiling & mental skills),
conflict resolution and selected rugby
specific modules.
EMPOWERMENT
Leadership and high performance
coaching.
CHARACTER
Develop greater self-awareness,
intrapersonal and interpersonal skills
through personality profiling.
ENTRY CRITERIA
By invitation:
The STAGE 5
COACHING COURSE (LEVEL 3)
is the Irish Rugby Football Union’s
top coaching award and is for Head
Coaches working with advanced adult
and representative teams.
If you are interested in getting into
coaching or would like to know more
about the Coaching Pathway in Ulster,
please visit:
http://www.ulsterrugby.com/domestic/Development/Coaching
For more information please contact:
Alistair Brown
//
Ulster Rugby Coach
Development Manager