Porthcawl RFC mini and junior sections will prepare for the new season with 12 newly qualified coaches in place thanks to the efforts of the Ospreys Coach Development team.
Led by Development Officer Dan Owens, the new coaches have been put through a series of sessions, culminating in an IRB Rugby Ready workshop and UKCC Level One Coaching Award, which the 12 candidates all successfully completed, meaning they are now qualified to coach at the club and will be taking roles across the mini and junior sections ranging from U8 to U16.
Dan Owens explained:
“Porthcawl were in a position where they have a large player base at junior level through to senior, with a distinct shortage of qualified coaches to run the team. From an operations point of view this isn’t ideal. The lack of suitable knowledge and qualifications impacts on the development and of the young players and also, results in lack of insurance cover.
“Through working with the candidates, we have been able to improve their coaching skills and help them complete Level One, which makes player development at Porthcawl that much stronger and will, in turn, have long term benefits for the rugby club.
“In addition to that, we have been able to identify a number of coaches showing real potential to be progress along the coach development pathway, one of whom, Julian Waters, is currently involved in taking the summer training sessions with the Bridgend District U12 player development group. This is real proof that the development pathway and talent ID procedures in the region are working.”
Elite Performance Director, Andrew Hore, added:
“Our underlying philosophy is making better coaches to develop better players. I think that cases like this one are a perfect example of how we are determined to do what we can to assist clubs in the region wherever we possibly can.
“Better coaches equals better players, it is as simple as that, and the youngsters at Porthcawl will now benefit from having 12 newly qualified coaches to work with over the coming season. Likewise, these coaches have now taken the first step onto the development pathway and will continue to receive the appropriate support to pursue a coaching career.”