HSBC Penguin Coaching Academy

World Rugby Level 1 Coaching Course

Gibraltar, 16th & 17th February 2018

Report by Alun Harries

HSBC Penguin Coaches Alun Harries and Dougie Thomson arrived into Gibraltar on Thursday 15th February and met up with Dave Barley, Director of Gibraltar RFU, to discuss the format of the weekend coaching course.

Alun and Dougie also met with the eight Level 1 candidates on Friday evening and delivered the theory aspect of this course.

This session was very productive, with lots of good discussion and debate revolving around the information delivered by the Coach Educators. On completion of the theory sessions, it was explained to each of the coaches they would have to deliver a 10-minute session on one of the following:

1. Develop your players’ ability to perform a 2 v 1 and possible progression.

2. Coach your players’ the side tackle and develop into a mini ruck.

3. Coach your players to understand the technical and safety aspects of a 5-man scrum.

4. Develop your players’ ability to perform the lateral pass and possible progressions.

5. Develop your players’ ability to catch a high ball and possible progressions.

On the Saturday morning the Level 1 course met at 8.30am to review the theory content and discuss the practical session for the day. We then went out onto the playing field to demonstrate, discuss and coach delivery of the scrum, lineout and tackle.

This was followed by the coaches delivering their specific task allocated on day 1. All the deliveries were of a good standard involving good questions, demonstrations, reinforcement of the key factors and allowing the players to have fun. There were a few coaches new to rugby, but the group helped each other with effective deliveries.

As per other courses delivered by the Penguins academy in Gibraltar, the candidates were keen and enthusiastic and that the participants on this course were again a credit to the GRFU.

Once again, the HSBC Penguin Coaching Academy can only thank Chad Thompsonand Dave Barley for their input into the organisation of the course