The Ospreys Referees Society and the Coach Development team at the region have again joined forces to help develop the community game in Ospreylia, with a unique forum to be hosted at Taibach RFC later this month featuring leading rugby figures from the region and beyond.
Open to all active coaches and referees from the region, it is the latest evening to be jointly hosted by the two partners following a number of development seminars, which have been attended by the likes of Duncan Jones, Mefin Davies, Kahn Fotuali’i and Marty Holah.
On this occasion, the first time that a forum has been hosted, Ospreys Backs Coach Gruff Rees and senior players Ryan Jones and Jonathan Thomas will sit on a panel alongside Clive Rowlands (Former Welsh captain, national coach, WRU President & British Lions Manager)? and Nigel Owens (IRB & RWC Panel Referee), to discuss the topic "The Differences Between modern Referees and Coaches are........?", looking at issues such as laws and interpretation, communication etc.
The discussion will be compered by former Glamorgan Wanderers and Newport RFC fullback, Phil Steele, now better known of course as BBC Scrum V Live’s pitchside reporter.
The format of the evening will see the panel giving their views on the topic, before the local coaches and referees in attendance will be invited to put questions to the panel.
Ospreys Coach Development Officer, Tony Thomas, said it promised to be an entertaining and insightful evening:
“Bringing referees and coaches together for regular seminars covering different aspects of the game has proven an extremely worthwhile exercise, allowing rugby people on opposite sides of the proverbial fence to get a real insight into how the other side views the modern game. Such interaction can only be of benefit to both parties, helping them to understand the bigger picture while active in their roles.
“This is the first time we’ve offered a forum such as this one, where we have top referees, players and coaches available to give their views on the topic and take questions from the floor. It is the latest example of the extensive and varied work that the Ospreys Community Department is actively carrying out across the region and will, I’m sure, prove to be a popular event which will go down well with all in attendance."
The forum is taking place on Tuesday 17th April at Taibach RFC, getting underway at 7.00pm. All active coaches and referees in the region are invited to attend. For further details, please contact Tony Thomas via email at ahthomas@wru.co.uk