Students weren't the only ones heading back to schools this month, with their coaches and referees all extending their skills at clinics held by RugbyWA at the WA Rugby Centre over the weekend.
Last weekend saw members of the RugbyWA community attend three courses aimed at developing coaches, to keep their skills in top shape ahead of the 2024 rugby season. These courses aim to give coaches the right tools and knowledge to create positive, fun, and progressive environments for players of all ages.
The courses included a Smart Tackle and Game Management Guidelines clinic, designed to help coaches and referees regarding the new Tackle Height Laws and Game Management Guidelines for the 2024 Season; the World Rugby Educators Course, to help upskill coaches to deliver education courses and upskill coaches on behalf of World Rugby and Rugby Australia, building the educator workforce; and the Developing Coach Course, which is targeted at coaches who are coaching U16 to Senior rugby, and designed to challenge conventional thinking around rugby and get coaches implementing more dynamics session to create a better outcome during games.
RugbyWA’s Education Coordinator, Grant Lazarus, has been working hard to build programs to keep coaches throughout our community at their best.
“It has been a great start to the year with over 50 participants attending across our courses and clinics.
“With more courses and workshops to come over the next few weeks, we are heading in the right direction to help our coaches and referees develop and all for the improvement of the game we all love.”
Lazarus reflected that such courses are vital to the long-term development of rugby, in addition to the development of both players and coaching staff.
“These courses are important for the continual growth and development of our coaches and players.
“Our national goal in Coach Education is to have 1 accredited coach for every 10 players, and for that to happen, we need to get the right coaches attending the right courses. RugbyWA will provide the Right Training, so coaches can create the Right Environment, with the Right Support.
The courses provide the opportunity for coaches to learn the skills necessary for the continual growth of their players.
“When we have the right coaches with the right training, all our players can get the safe training they need and all the fun they deserve so they can continue to play rugby for years to come,” Lazarus said.
“For those players that aspire for representative rugby, our programs will help the coaches cater for players’ high-performance needs and provide challenges for their development.
“When player have the knowledge to utilize their skills safely and consistently and confidence to express their individuality within a team environment, rugby wins!”
Courses are run throughout the year by RugbyWA, within the Perth Metro. Upcoming programs include:
- Foundation Coach Course: Saturday 24th February @ UWA – 9am to 2pm
- Kids Pathway Skills Session: Friday 8th March @ Arks – 5:30pm to 8pm; Wednesday 20th March @ Joondalup Brothers – 5:30pm to 8pm
- Developing Coach Course: Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th March @ RugbyWA – 9am to 5pm (both days)
- Referee Ready 2024: Saturday 24th February @ Nedlands RUFC – 12pm to 3pm; Wednesday 20th March @ Arks – 6pm to 9pm
- Smart Tackle and GMG Clinic: Wednesday 13th March @ RugbyWA – 6:30pm to 8pm
- Inclusive Rugby Environments Workshop: Saturday 23rd March @ UWA – 8:30am to 10:30pm (Run by Inclusion Solutions and supported by RugbyWA).
To get involved, or for more information, visit wa.rugby/education/calendar, or contact Education Coordinator, Grant Lazarus (grant.lazarus@rugbywa.com.au).
