WRU Community Rugby Director Geraint John explained the rationale behind the framework: “Coaches and referees play a crucial role in helping players to learn the game and providing them with the tools to participate.
“A good coach is integral in player development on and off the field, helping them to become not just good players, but good people. Developing coaches is vital in helping to grow the game, retain players and provide an excellent experience for all.
“So we’ve created this new framework to define clear principles of coaching that we will disseminate through the game through education and training with the sole aim of assisting our coaching workforce.”
Under the framework coaches and referees will have opportunities to engage with the WRU through a variety of formal and informal sessions and will be supported by four national conferences taking place every three months throughout the year, enabling flexible delivery to progress learning.
Each conference will be themed in line with the following principles of the new Coaching & Refereeing Framework: coaching or refereeing craft, leadership, people and self-concept.
“After each session across the four framework pillars, coaches and referees will have access to a range of formal and informal development learning opportunities,” added John “This enables flexible delivery and the potential to progress learning in your own time.
“We’re also offering a series of online communities where coaches and referees can explore the subjects further in a social, interactive environment.”
Geraint John addresses the WRU Coaching and Refereeing Framework Conference –
Further regional development opportunities will also take place to build on the learning from the framework.
As part of the launch 50 community rugby coaches from across the country were able to attend a special event at Principality Stadium.
They were given an overview of the new framework, participated in group breakout sessions and heard from guest speakers including Wayne Pivac, Liza Burgess, Richie Pugh and WRU Head of Player Development John Alder.
“It was fantastic to have so many coaches from across the country attend our kick-off event,” commented John. “It was great to see the coaches getting involved in discussions and asking questions of the guests and each other.
“It was an enjoyable evening and speaking to some of the coaches in the room I know they gained a lot of insight on how to improve their practice to ensure player development.”
Coaches and referees can find out more via the WRU Game Locker.
Find out more about becoming a rugby coach here.
Find out more about refereeing here.
