304 episodes

Dan Cottrell and guests discuss all the hot topics in grass roots rugby coaching from managing concussion to dealing with parents.

Rugby Coach Weekly Dan Cottrell

    • Sports

Dan Cottrell and guests discuss all the hot topics in grass roots rugby coaching from managing concussion to dealing with parents.

    Why women love playing rugby

    Why women love playing rugby

    Dan chats to Telegraph sports journalist Fi Tomas about where women’s rugby needs to go next. 
    Fi has worked on the paper since 2019, was number 11 on 2023 BBC Women's Hour Power List and recently nominated for the 2023 British Sports Journalism women’s category. She is a keen advocate for a stronger voice in female sports.
    In the podcast, they look at:
    Why women want to play rugbyThe hurdles facing women in sportHow the media portrays women in sportWhat needs to be addressed in terms of language and attracting a broader audienceThe issues that rugby faces, from male-dominated spaces to the role of governing bodiesHow sports should appeal to a new generation, and why commentators need to ensure they help grow the gameTo find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly

    Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

    • 49 min
    Wait a minute, I’ve just realised I’m a role model for black rugby players

    Wait a minute, I’ve just realised I’m a role model for black rugby players

    Ralph Knibbs, Head of Human Resources at UK Athletics and a Bristol rugby legend, chats with Samba Ceesay, Broad Plain RFC’s captain.
    In an extraordinary podcast, Ralph first describes his journey as a black player from a non-traditional rugby background, why he turned down playing for England twice and how his children made him more self-aware about being a role model.
    He then asks Samba about his journey. Coming to rugby late, Samba talks about how Broad Plain stood up for him, allowed him to become a better player, and what led him to lead the club.
    As the podcast unfolds, you will hear how Ralph helps Samba acknowledge his crucial role in giving others the confidence to follow their ambitions.
    They reflect on the challenges faced by black players, both professional and amateur, but also the development of leadership skills, camaraderie, and a sense of family and belonging.
    Listen to find out how two humble sportsmen, who love their sport, want to make rugby a more inclusive and diverse environment.

    Click here to find out more about the Star Scheme

    Click here to find out more about the Rugby Black List
    To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly

    Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

    • 1 hr 4 min
    Don't let perfect be the enemy of be good: How to set up a SEND rugby programme

    Don't let perfect be the enemy of be good: How to set up a SEND rugby programme

    This podcast is dedicated to the memory of one of the guest's daughter, who passed away suddenly a few weeks after the recording.

    The Peel family have set up a donation page for Katie in support of FarmAbility. Here's a link.

    https://www.justgiving.com/page/katiepeelfarmability

    Please listen to this inspiring journey of three coaches providing something amazing. It needs us all to reflect on setting up a SEND rugby programme.

    Dan Cottrell speaks to Darren Rea, John Peel and Gareth Lewis of Gosford All Blacks, Wallingford and Whitney rugby clubs.

    There are plenty of lessons for all of us, but specifically, we focus on:
    How to set up the programmeHow to make it a realistic and inclusive environmentEasy ways to involve everyoneMaking everyone confidentThe pathways beyond trainingThe joy of making rugby a meaningful place to express yourselfIf you want to get involved, please reach out:
    Gosford All Blacks
    Website https://gabrfc.rfu.club/
    Email youth@gosfordrugby.com
    Contact- Darren Rea 07531118213
    Session times: Sunday 10 am to 11 am
    Witney Wolves
    Website https://witneyrfc.rfu.club/teams/witney-rfc-wolves-sen/470302/profile
    Email theresaclark1234@aol.com
    Session times: Sunday 11 am to 12 noon

    Wallingford Wolves
    Website https://wallingfordrfc.rfu.club/teams/wallingford-rfc-wolves/467870/profile
    Email the_peels@me.com
    Session times: Sunday 11 am to 12 noon 
    To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly

    Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

    • 48 min
    When balloons and ribbons can help improve catching skills

    When balloons and ribbons can help improve catching skills

    Dan chats with Dr Rachael Jefferson about fundamental movement skills and how to introduce them effectively into our coaching sessions.

    Rachael is a lecturer in human movement studies and creative arts, and author of Fundamental fun: 132 activities to develop fundamental movement skills.

    You can get a copy of her book here.

    In the podcast, we explore:
    What is meant by fundamental movement skills (FMS)What do the terms body management, locomotor, and object control skills meanWhy we need to coach FMSHow to make it part of our training sessionsWays to help less skilful young people become better moversHow we can use balloons and scarves to help catchingThe importance of choosing appropriate objects based on skill levels.Rachael's own journey on throwing the javelinHow we need to know the biomechanics of movement to help players progress
    More bio:
    Rachael is a physical education, dance, inclusion and wellbeing specialist, who is fascinated by the moving and creative body. Her PhD focused on the governance of the body in physical education in England from 1902 to 2016. Rachael has nurtured her own wellbeing and self-awareness to a high level by training in yoga and also Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR).

    Rachael is particularly well known for her work in the area of fundamental movement skills (FMS). This began in earnest in 2006, when she trained in a Western Australian research-led FMS professional development course by STEPS PD. Following this, she became the UK FMS consultant and worked with sport coaches, teachers and lecturers across England and Ireland for several years. During that time she was regularly publishing FMS works, including her play-based pedagogy book for teachers.

    Rachael’s influence in FMS, PE and inclusion is global; she has worked on several long-term international projects in these domains for the University of Cambridge, UNICEF, UNESCO, and Montrose. Her curriculum design is especially valued for its creative, inclusive, and student-centred foundations. She has developed national PE curriculum (primary and secondary) and led teacher training for Kazakhstan, Egypt, Myanmar, and Mongolia.

    Rachael enjoys social media and the wonderful connections she makes there. She has written popular gender and sport articles for ‘The Age’ and ‘The Conversation’, as she believes in the power of telling stories to raise the general public’s awareness of athletes’ inclusion issues and rights. 


    To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly

    Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

    • 50 min
    How to help less-experienced coaches enjoy taking teams

    How to help less-experienced coaches enjoy taking teams

    Dan chats with Chris Dossett, chair of the Professional Association of the Directors in Sport, and very experienced DoS himself.

    In the podcast, they talk about:
    How a good director of sports supports their less-experienced staffConnecting with the playersMaking the less-able teams enjoy rugby as much as the top-flightWhat equality looks like in sports in a school environmentHow to make girls' sport part of the fabric of the school sports systemChris gives many examples of practical ways to operate, not just as a director of sport but also as an example of good coaching for others to follow.
    To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly

    Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

    • 37 min
    The thorny reality of losing a World Cup final

    The thorny reality of losing a World Cup final

    Dan chats to Jess Hayden, author of The Red Roses: Behind the Scenes with the England Women's Rugby Team.
    Jess, who was previously a sports journalist at The Times and The Sunday Times, is the editor of Contested, a new social app for sports fans.

    In writing the book, she was able to get exclusive access to the England Women's team, known at the Red Roses, plus speak to former players and coaches.

    In the podcast, she talks about:
    The highs and huge lows of a World Cup campaignProfessionalism in women's rugby and the lessons to be learned from the difficulties in the men's gameWhy the audience for women's rugby is growing, but also, what's holding it backShould England have chosen a woman to be their new head coachThe rise of WXVWhy the Lions touring team isn't the right vehicle to grow women's rugbyThe simple misunderstanding that made the England players so angry Who was the only player to watch the lost final on the plane home from 2021 World Cup
    The book is out at the start of March.

    Contested: Because every athlete and team sport deserves recognition.
    A unique space for fans to join the conversation, debate predictions, and celebrate sports together. It covers lots of sports in the detail you won't get in the mainstream media.
    To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly

    Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

    • 45 min

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