A new chapter for Wales Women in 2016 has brought with it a host of new faces.
Physical Performance Lead James Nolan is one of them. Nolan has been tasked with ensuring the players are prepared for the rigours of an international competition that is becoming fiercer by the year. After Wales Women completed a successful autumn campaign in their new home at the BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park – beating Scotland and the UK Armed Forces – the Irishman believes the team is starting to see the fruits of its labour.
“We demonstrated a very high level of play with respect to game tempo and skill execution right up to the final whistle in both of our autumn fixtures,” says Nolan. “I believe this is testament to the commitment the women have shown to the conditioning sessions performed at Wales training and the sessions expected of them outside of squad training.”
It is Nolan’s opinion that being a good rugby player and a player who is in good physical condition aren’t mutually exclusive. “A well-conditioned rugby player will be able to express their true rugby ability on the field,” he believes, “and that is what you saw from the team in the autumn.”
Now he is busy preparing the team for the 2017 Six Nations, including two huge home matches against World Cup holders England (11th February) and World Cup semi-finalists Ireland (11th March). If the autumn was anything to go by, Nolan reckons the home factor will be crucial to Welsh success.
“Both matches at the BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park were fantastic,” he says. “The crowd for both games made the atmosphere special and there was a great buzz around Wales Women playing at the BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park. The performance of the women and the enthusiasm of the supporters made for a special occasion. I’m sure we will have many more occasions like it in the capital and that really excites me.”
Although he boasts a rugby union background (as a youngster he played for Rockwell College, before a stint in the All Ireland League Division 2), the Irishman has a wealth of experience in multiple sports, largely thanks to a willingness to learn that saw him seek out internships whist studying for a BSc in Sports and Exercise Science at the University of Limerick.
Nolan’s hard work paid off when he achieved a first-class honours degree, but he was still eager to ride the learning curve. Before long, he took to the United States to work on the ‘Fighting Illini’ American Football programme at the University of Illinois (where the team plays at the impressive 61,000-seater Memorial Stadium).
When he returned from his American adventure, he brought his newly-acquired knowledge back to the rugby field, taking up a position at London Welsh – which is where he crossed paths with new Wales Women head coach Rowland Phillips, for whom Nolan is full of praise.
“I enjoyed every single day I spent at London Welsh with Rowland, because he has a fantastic ability as a coach to create a demanding and challenging environment to work in,” says Nolan, adding that the former dual-code international “could make even a stone wall laugh.”
“Rowland has a very keen understanding of the fact that players are all individuals but is very adept at allowing them to flourish in his systems and create a great team dynamic. It’s something he has taken over into the WRU national women’s programme and I’m sure will allow for some great successes here. His blend of focus and emotional intelligence has taught me a lot about dealing with athletes.”
Nolan refers to a popular American coach in his field who once said, “Female athletes are not a special population: they are half the population.” He uses this quote as a baseline principle, stating: “The girls will still perform the same strength lifts, power exercises, speed work and energy system development as the male athletes. One major difference between male and female athletes I have noticed is the desire for female athletes to know what their training entails. They will frequently ask why we are training a certain way and what effect it will have.”
Next year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup take place in Nolan’s homeland, with Wales drawn against New Zealand, and a team from the Asia/Oceania play-offs. “I am so excited for Wales Women to put themselves on a world stage and show what they are truly capable of,” he says. “We have a tough group draw and that’s exciting. Once we begin specific World Cup preparations next year, the girls won’t need any more motivation than simply having a chance to make their mark.”
Ticket for Wales Women’s 2017 Six Nations matches against England and Ireland at the BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park are priced at £15 seated, and £10 terraced (£5 for children under 16) and can be purchased online here, or in person from the WRU Ticket Office on Westgate Street.
