New rugby coaching scheme set to be launched

May 7 2010 by Johnathon Menzies, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

A NEW scheme has been launched to improve grassroots rugby in Perthshire and beyond ahead of next season.

Bosses from Scottish Rugby have said that the club coach co-ordinator initiative is the result of a successful pilot carried-out earlier this year involving a total of 18 clubs based throughout Tayside and Fife.

After being trialled in January at Perth’s Bell’s Sports Centre, the project – which will begin in earnest at the start of the 2010/11 campaign – aims to provide opportunities to share ideas and improve communication.

Neil Graham, coach development officer for Scottish Rugby, said: “We are delighted with the response we’ve had from the clubs who’ve already trialled the scheme.”

In order to become a club coach co-ordinator, organisers have said that an applicant must be the central point of contact for all education-related matters, help promote Scottish Rugby coaching courses and assist with developing a fledgling staff database.

In addition to local duties, successful participants will also be able to undertake specialist training in a bid to earn qualifications delivered by Scottish Rugby's nationally-recognised development officers.

Anyone wishing to become a club coach co-ordinator is advised to contact Neil Graham at neil.graham@sru.org.uk before May 21.