After a successful year of coach development operating out of the Ospreys regional base at Llandarcy Academy of Sport, Ospreys Coach Development Officers Dan Owens and Tony Thomas are putting the finishing touches on a calendar of events for next season.
Once again they have devised a comprehensive community coach development programme that will grow throughout the year providing increased opportunities for all Ospreylia based coaches, whatever their level, to experience first hand, and be a part of, a world class coach development programme.
Coach Development Officer Dan Owens said:
"The Ospreys region is well known as a real hot bed of playing talent and our player development officers are working very hard to develop that player base, introducing more youngsters to the game of rugby and then working closely with the clubs within the region to give these players every opportunity available.
"In turn, I think it is fair to say that many of these players would not have an outlet if it wasn't for the hundreds of volunteers giving up their time to assist in their development, by coaching at schools and clubs the length and breadth of Ospreylia. In the interest of both player and coach development, we feel it only right that each coach have access to the best possible development opportunities, as has recently been demonstrated by the advertising of positions within our junior player development system, allowing coaches to coach at a higher level to challenge themselves.
"Our coach education courses are currently renowned as the best in Wales, but we also recognise that the courses only take a coach so far; as with a driving test to a driver, you only really learn to drive once you've passed your test. This is why we offer a full calendar of Continued Professional Development opportunities so the coaches can continually improve themselves, gaining new knowledge and experience."
Andrew Hore, Elite Performance Director at the Ospreys added:
"Coach development is centre to everything we are trying to do within the region. Our view is that if we want to improve playing standards and increase the player base, then we need to work hard with clubs and schools in the region to improve the quality of our coaches. Put simply, better coaches equals better players.
"The Coach Development Officers we have here do an excellent job putting together a varied programme of events, coaching clinics and courses throughout the season, which offer opportunities to everybody looking to take up coaching. If you are at the very first rung of the coaching ladder, or are an established coach at Level Three and regional age-grade or above, the Tony and Dan will be able to offer support and advice.
"Development from within is everything if we are to create long term, sustainable success for the Ospreys. The development programme we have in place for our senior coaches and for people like Filo Tiatia and Gruff Rees who have stepped up during the LV= Cup is evidence that we are not just talking about it, we are living it. In the long term, this is the only way forward, and will, ultimately, produce a much bigger pool of quality, Welsh coaches within the region."
Further details of the 2010/11 calendar will be published via the website in due course, but for further information on Ospreys Coach Development courses visit www.ospreysrugby.com/coaching now.