Active coaches working in the community game across Ospreylia will get the chance to pick up tips from the region’s senior coaching team at two special development evenings in the coming weeks.
The sessions, which are being held at Bridgend RFC and Gowerton RFC, will see Steve Tandy, Gruff Rees, Chris Gibbes and Dan Griffiths providing practice coaching demonstrations on specific areas of the game before participating in Q&A sessions, answering questions on all issues coaching related.
Organised by Dan Owens, WRU/Ospreys Coach Development Officer, the development evenings will provide coaches with a unique insight into elite coaching and the opportunity to put the knowledge learned into practice under the eye of Owens and the Ospreys coaches.
Participation is open to any active 1st XV, 2nd XV or Youth coach operating at a club in Ospreylia, and is completely FREE. All coaches taking part are invited to bring along two club players (one forward, one back) who they have identified as likely to benefit most from the experience, who will assist in the practical coaching demonstration.
Speaking ahead of the evenings, Dan Owens commented:
“I’m delighted to be able to confirm that Steve and his coaching team have agreed to give up some of their valuable time at such a crucial stage of the season. This is a fantastic opportunity for club coaches to get some expert guidance that will really help their own development, and give them something to take back to their club and pass on to others, raising standards in the community game.
“We hope to see plenty of coaches taking advantage of these evenings, it is highly recommended that anyone active in the community game invests just two hours of their time to participate.”
Tandy confirmed that the coaches see such evenings as having huge benefits for rugby in the region:
“Dan, Gruff and myself are all coaches who have been developed on the Ospreys pathway and fully understand how important it is to provide opportunities to coaches in the region like this. Although Chris has come in from New Zealand, he also buys in fully to the ethos of development from within and has a track record back in Waikato of doing just that.
“The importance of quality coaches, whatever level of the game they operate in, can’t be overstated. If we have better coaches working within our system, then it means players will benefit from working with them, improving standards.
“It’s important that we support Dan and the community development team with initiatives like this, and we are all looking forward to the sessions.”
Ospreys East Coach Development Evening:
With Gruff Rees (Backs Coach) & Chris Gibbes (Forwards Coach)
Venue: Bridgend RFC
Date: Wednesday 19th March 2014
Time: 7pm – 9pm (6.30 arrival)
Cost: FREE
Ospreys West Coach Development Evening:
With Steve Tandy (Head Coach) & Dan Griffiths (Elite Performance Manager)
Venue: Gowerton RFC
Date: Wednesday 2nd April 2014
Time: 7pm – 9pm (6.30 arrival)
Cost: FREE
Spaces are limited, but any coaches wishing to secure a place, should send an email to dowens@wru.co.uk expressing their interest and identifying which event they would like to attend.