Two months after taking up the role of Regional Community Manager at the Ospreys, Ben Rose has set the priorities for the region's Community Development team for 2011.
Rose took up the post at the end of November, replacing Jason Lewis who left the Ospreys to become National Rugby Development Manager at the WRU, and after spending some time undertaking a thorough review of operations, for the former Swansea District Player Development Officer has been able to set out his plans for the year.
Rose explained:
“If we are looking at long term sustainable success for the Ospreys, then we are only as strong as the community game in the region. By supporting the community game and putting in place structures and systems that will allow players, coaches and administrators to develop, then we can create a healthy rugby community that will produce the next generation of Ospreys, on and off the field.
“We can’t address all the issues we face at the same time, it is essential that we focus on specific areas and really make a difference in 2011.”
In no particular order, the following areas have been highlighted for attention over the next twelve months:
1. Establish a revamped Ospreys Kids Camps as key driver for development of the community game
2. Grow the number of suitably qualified coaches within the region through a structured coach education programme, targeting 51 per cent of coaches with no recognised qualification to become qualified
3. Ensure the opportunity for all coaches within the region under our remit have access to CPD
- 6 central events
- 12 targeted club events, open to all club coaches in the area
- 6 Referee development events
- 3 ORCA (Ospreys Regional Coaching Association) sessions
4. Grow the resources available to coaches within the region including internet drills database and DVD’s
5. Coordinate delivery of transitions from development pathway to regional age grade U14 – U20s
6. Coordinate delivery of schools programme in key areas – Primary Schools; Delivery around needs of clubs; Establish Secondary School Yr 7/8/9 - 2nd Team Competition; Ospreys Cup for Yr 10 schools and U15s / U16s clubs
Elite Performance Director, Andrew Hore, added:
“Ben has really shown a positive attitude to the challenges we face since his appointment. He has come into the role with a good knowledge and understanding of both the Ospreys vision and strategy, and the issues that we face in attempting to build long-term sustainable success for the organisation.
“Along with his team, he has already been able to identify some key areas, and he will have the full support of everyone at the Ospreys as he looks to really make a difference to the community game in the region.”