Martin – alongside the RFU’s Coach Development Manager, Training Development Manager and Performance Pathway Manager – worked with UK Coaching’s Learning Experience Manager and Partnership Development Managers to design the bespoke guided learning experience for coaches that supports them to improve their own practice and the player experience.
“We had to think about how coaches are now accessing information – aware that an increasing number have an appetite for digital learning – and we know that time is precious and having all of the information in one an online space is really important,” adds Martin.
“Our partnership has enabled us to do that. The co-branded space is specific, supported, scaffolded learning that is relevant and robust. We know who UK Coaching is engaging with to write the resources and we know that the learning that has been, and is being, produced is trustworthy.”
Naturally, when it comes to the technical and tactical components of rugby, the RFU have the learning and development needs of coaches well covered.
The Rugby Awards system includes compulsory safety and welfare training, through to core modules encompassing how to deliver highly engaging, enjoyable sessions.
“Then we have those coaches who are working in our pathway programmes, who want to extend, and challenge, and better themselves,” says Martin. “For those coaches we have our England Rugby Coaching Awards, our England Rugby Advanced Coaching Award, and our ‘principles’ courses that are very much centred around the skills of rugby.”
UK Coaching’s approach is to focus on the ‘why’ and the ‘how’ of coaching. And as Martin says, “there is no point reinventing the wheel".