1. Proactive Ways of Improving Your Coaching Dave Johnson National Coach Development Manager (Talent and Community Coaches)

2. Coaching ) “I believe in player development and I believe in the impact that coaches can have on that development. Kevin Bowring (RFU Head of Elite Coach Development) EMPOWERMENT Lynn Kidman (Athlete Centered Coaching) promotes empowerment as an important coaching process, but this has to be achieved without coaches abdicating responsibility. Coaches can and should defer to superior knowledge, such as that of the doctors, physios or specialist coaches, but the buck has to stop with the head coach. The challenge now is for the coach to be a facilitator. The modern head coach will need enough knowledge in all areas.

3. You owe it to your players to be the best coach you can possibly be.” Dave Whitaker (1988 GB Olympic gold medal hockey team coach) KNOWING THE COACH YOU WANT TO BE. Justin Hughes of the Red Arrows talks about the desirability of conducting a self critique of your own performance as the very first step in evaluating performance. Valuable lessons for coaches are to commit to learning and to excellence; to set high standards and not compromise on your coaching philosophy; to have ambition - “If you don’t go for it, you never achieve it.”

4. Workforce Research Coaching is a key, and might be argued the most important, building block for any sport. Audit carried out of rugby league coaches in the UK to assist with planning for the management and development of the coaching workforce within Rugby League.

5. Coach Characteristics AgeNo.% <16 yrs80.3 16 – 21 yrs505 22 – 29 yrs13413 30 – 39 yrs50550 40 – 49 yrs27427 >49 yrs343 Total1007100

6. Distribution of Coaching Hours No. of Hrs. %Avge. Hrs. per week Prep. For coaching 435142.25 Coach Delivery1136375.75 Communication to parents/others 23581.25 Reviewing, monitoring, evaluating 27391.5 Coach Admin28991.5 Travel525172.75 CPD / Learning20071.0 Total214310015.5

7. Types of CPD used in previous 12 months Type of CPD% Advice from family/friends63 Coaching conferences50 Coaching Practice80 Coaching Qualifications58 Education outside Coaching46 Experience at Work55 Experience of Parenting45 Experience as a Participant48 Online Learning56 Reading83

8. Types of CPD used in previous 12 months Type of CPD% Reflection on Past Coaching78 Watching DVD’s, CD’s, Video80 Work with Coach Mentor44 Work with Participants74 Observe/Work with Coaches79 Observing Other Sports47 Observing Own Coach39 Workshops/Training Courses62 1:1 Training Needs Analysis15 Other4

9. UK Coaching Framework Create a world-leading coaching system in the UK by 2016. The vision outlined in the Framework is to create a cohesive, ethical, inclusive and valued coaching system where skilled coaches support children, adults, players and athletes at all stages of their development in sport.

11. Coach Development Developing a highly skilled coach workforce that is aligned to the needs of International, professional, semi-professional and Community Rugby League Objective Establish a UK-wide coaching system that meets the standards of the UK Coaching Framework by 2012, and increases the number and quality of coaches developed, employed and deployed at each stage of the RFL Player Pathway.

13. RFL Support Regional Manager SAC Talent and Coach Manager Talent Coaches CRLC’sTutor Workforce

14. 14 Interactive coaching website www.rugbyleaguecoaching.co.uk

15. 15 Aims & objectives Aims To provide an up to date, relevant support resource for UKCC coaches working in specific environments To remain the lead expert in the provision of cutting edge ‘on demand’ support services to coaches Objectives To provide session plans and current practical resources to support coaches in the field To improve access to information for qualified coaches Enhance coach development by challenging current theory and practice

16. 16 How it works Landing page Register Log in About us News Coaching pathway CPD Help Contact us

17. 17 How it works Navigation Access is limited to the coaches environment. Sections relate to the 4x4x5 matrix, pictured on the left side of the screen. Rotate the rugby ball and click on the text to access.

18. 18 How it works Content Users can browse technical and tactical content Access session plans and new ideas to enhance coaching delivery Ask the expert

19. 19 How it works Content Small sided games to increase understanding Example of small sided games

20. 20 What are the benefits? Relevant Up to date Supportive Expert knowledge Timely “on demand” service Coach (and player) centred Self developmental/thought provoking Available content Session plans Case studies Articles Small sided games Video footage Tactical content Interviews