In operating a formal coach education programme, the Ospreys aim to provide opportunity for coaches to achieve the minimum coaching qualifications relevant to their requirements. We aim to provide all new coaches entering the game a positive initial learning experience that will encourage them to develop themselves further and provide them with the knowledge and skills to coach safely and effectively.

For those coaches wishing to progress their coaching qualifications, we aim to provide a continued positive experience and an environment that supports their specific development needs, allowing coaches to grow their own knowledge and expertise beyond their initial capability.

The Ospreys Coach Development Department operate an extensive programme of “formal” coach education courses. That include:

• WRU Community Tag Leaders Award (CTLA)
• IRB Rugby Ready (IRR)
• UKCC Coaching in Rugby Union Level 1 (L1)
• UKCC Coaching in Rugby Union Level 2 (L2)
• UKCC Coaching in Rugby Union Level 3 (L3)

For a full annual timetable of courses, to register as a coach and to apply for WRU Coach Education courses, please visit http://www.wrucoaching.co.uk/. For a description of courses and a brief outline of requirements, please read on.

WRU Community Tag Leaders Award

Course Description / Outline

The course is suitable for teachers, coaches and sports leaders to introduce the non-contact game of tag rugby. The course is 3 hours in duration, comprising of 3 one hour modules. There is no formal assessment; informal course appraisal will be given by the tutor. An attendance certificate and award booklet will be provided at the end of the course.

Tag rugby provides a safe and simple introduction to the game of rugby union. The WRU has developed this course to offer coaches working with young players in the non-contact game, the opportunity to grow their knowledge and skills and in doing so improve the experience afforded to young players entering the game. An early positive experience has been shown to lead to longer-term player participation.

Tag rugby introduces both the player and the coach to the fundamentals of evasive running, handling and passing, as well as basic rules and principles of the game of rugby union. Tag is a fast paced, fun game suitable for boys and girls. The invasion nature of the game provides opportunities to develop a basic understanding of principals underlying rugby and other team sports such as football, hockey or netball.

Course Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course you will be able to:

• Deliver a safe, enjoyable coaching session
• Coach basic rugby skills of running, evasion, handling and passing
• Safely and knowledgeably introduce and apply the rules of the tag game

IRB Rugby Ready

Course Description / Outline

Course duration is 3 hours. The IRR programme has been launched to educate, aid and support players, coaches, match officials and Unions on the importance of proper preparation for training and playing so that players enjoy Rugby to the fullest while reducing the risk of injury.

This programme follows in the footsteps of the Rugby Smart and Smart rugby programmes successfully delivered in New Zealand and Australia and is intended to provide a global education resource for the games stakeholders in the important area of discipline, match preparation, correct technique, injury prevention and injury management.

Course Learning Outcomes

By the end of the award, candidates will be expected to:

• Describe and illustrate principles of safe practice as they relate to and may be applied in:
  – Playing
  – Coaching
  – Refereeing
  – Any other aspect of administration or supervision of the game

UKCC Level One

Course Outline / Description

The course provides coaches with an introduction to the game of rugby union and the principles and practice of safe, ethical and effective management and coaching of players of all ages. The course qualifies the coach to act as an assistant to a more qualified coach. The Level 1 Certificate in Coaching Rugby Union aims to develop a coach's ‘How to Coach’ skills as well as improve their 'What to coach Skills'.

• The course is 21hrs in duration (16hrs on course, 5hrs home study)
• The course is a competence based course and involves on-course appraisal. The course involves both classroom and outdoor practical sessions. Coaches are expected to participate fully in all activities
• Lunch and refreshments will be provided on all courses

The course is a modular course made up of the following units:

Unit 1 – Introduction to Safe and Ethical Rugby Union

- The role of the coach
- Working with Children
- Basic Laws of  the Game
- Health and Safety

Unit 2 – Plan Rugby Union Coaching Sessions

- Planning for Delivery of Coaching Sessions

Unit 3 – Evaluate a Rugby Union Coaching Session

Unit 4 - Deliver Rugby Union Coaching Sessions

- Principles of Warm up and Cool Down
- Skill Development (Generic and position specific skills)
- Communication Skills
- Observation of Performance

(All units are mandatory and unit certification is available) Candidates must be a minimum age of 16. Candidates must have completed an IRB Rugby Ready.

UKCC Level Two

Course Description / Outline

Building on the Level 1 Certificate (UKCC L1CCRU) the course develops greater depth of knowledge of the game of rugby union and the principles and practice of safe, ethical and effective management and coaching of players of all ages. The course qualifies the coach to ‘Prepare for, deliver and review coaching session(s)’. Candidates must be over 18 years of age before certification. This is due to the level of autonomy and responsibility of a qualified coach of Rugby Union operating at this level.

• The course is 69hrs in duration (30hrs on course, 33hrs home study, 6hrs assessment).
• The course is a competence based course and involves on-course appraisal.
• The course involves both classroom and outdoor practical sessions.
• Coaches are expected to participate fully in all activities.
• Lunch and refreshments will be provided on all courses

The course is a modular course made up of the following units:

Unit 1 - Rugby Union Coaching Principles and Ethics

Unit 2 - Plan Rugby Union Coaching Sessions

Unit 3 - Conduct Rugby Union Coaching Sessions

(All units are mandatory and unit certification is available) Candidates must be 18 years of age. Candidates must have completed a UKCC Level One.

UKCC Level Three

Course Description / Outline

To provide candidates who have an ongoing involvement in coaching rugby union with the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to deliver a coaching programme and demonstrate their rugby union coaching ability. The Certificate offers an opportunity for candidates to be given support to effectively apply the principles of performance profiling, goal setting and designing, planning and evaluating a rugby union coaching programme and practice.

It also aims to enable the candidate to create an effective coaching environment, establish supportive working relationships and manage the behaviour of players and others. This is achieved through an understanding and the application of the underpinning knowledge of the Level 3 NOS in Coaching, Teaching and Instructing and the Level 3 Rugby Union Technical Definition and Assessment Specification.

- Candidates must be over 18 years of age before certification and hold a L2 Certificate.
- The course is 40hrs in duration over five days + home study and learning modules
- Applicants may apply, but will be subject to application criteria
- Lunch and refreshments will be provided on all courses

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of Level 3 Certificate in Coaching Rugby Union, candidates should be able to:

- establish potential performance benchmarks / indicators
- establish players’ current and potential performance needs
- establish and agree goals with the players and others
- design a rugby union coaching programme that meets the identified needs of the team and players
- plan a detailed training cycle or phase associated with an aspect of the rugby union coaching programme
- plan an evaluation schedule for the rugby union coaching programme
- establish and maintain a safe coaching environment for players and others
- establish and maintain supportive working relationships with players and others
- manage players’ and others’ behaviour to ensure a safe and effective Rugby Union coaching environment
- prepare players and others for the coaching programme
- deliver a rugby union coaching programme
- develop players’ performance within the coaching programme
- monitor and evaluate players’ performance and development
- monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the coaching programme
- monitor, evaluate and develop personal coaching practice
- monitor, review and support the development of the coaching practice of others

The L3CCRU comprises six units of assessment (see below). The five generic units must be assessed in the context of Unit 6, which includes the technical aspects of rugby union coaching at this level. These units constitute the format of the Level 3 Certificate in Coaching, which is composed of five generic mandatory units and a number of optional units.

For further information about the Level 3 Certificate in Coaching and its optional units, visit http://www.openquals.org.uk/.

Level 3 Certificate in Coaching Rugby Union Units

Unit 1: Analyse performance and goal setting
Unit 2: Design a coaching programme
Unit 3: Manage a safe and effective coaching environment
Unit 4: Deliver a coaching programme
Unit 5: Evaluate and develop a coaching programme and practice
Unit 6: Coaching Rugby Union

Application Process

The UKCC Level Three has become a “West Division course”, as such, is delivered in conjunction with the Scarlets. To apply for UKCC Level Three, please send a Rugby CV to Dan Owens, Ospreys Coach Development officer, via email. Due to the select nature of candidates permitted to undertake the course, the Ospreys Coach Development Department undertake a coaching appraisal of all coaches to assess suitability to the course and utilise the following criteria for selection:

Enhanced Priority

• Ospreys Development Officers
• Ospreys Coach Educators
• Age Grade (Ospreys 16 – 20) coach
• Ospreys region based Premiership coach
• Ospreys region based Player Development coaches

Preferred Priority

• Ospreys resident
• Ospreys based Senior/Youth level coach
• Regular attendance at Ospreys CPD events

Minimum Priority

• UKCC Coaching in Rugby Union Level 2
• Coaching a rugby team on a regular basis
• Out of region applicants

All candidates must be 18 years of age. All candidates must have undertaken UKCC Level Two.

WRU Coach Education Prices

Course	Cost
Tag Leaders	£20
Rugby Ready	£20
UKCC Level 1	£100
UKCC Level 2	£200
UKCC Level 3	£300

Coach Education Contact Details

Dan Owens: Ospreys Community Officer

Tel: 01792 324 650
Email: daniel.owens@ospreysrugby.com

Address: Ospreys Community Officer, Keepers Cottage, Llandarcy Academy of Sport, Neath SA10 6JD