The Journey of a Grassroots Rugby Coach (More Tracksuits less Business Suits)

Today my guest is John Browne. He is currently coaching U14,U16,U18 Girls rugby in Townsville in Far North Queensland. He is also the current coach of the Queensland Country Heelers. We spoke about coaching Female Rugby. During the episode we also spoke about listening to your players and not being afraid to think outside the box.  

Today’s guest is Charles Dudley Charles is currently the lead Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Queensland Reds Super W Team and the Nudgee College 1st XV. Charles has previously held roles within various organisations such as the Chinese Olympic Committee Ice Hockey program, and the Victorian Weightlifting Association. Complementing his strength and conditioning background, Charles also wor...

This week episode is with Curtis Bradford Curtis began playing as a child in Wales, He has since used Rugby as a passport to travel and to take his first steps into coaching. While playing across Europe, Asia and in Australia, Curtis also worked in development officer roles with the Welsh Rugby Union, Kuala Lumpur Tigers and NSW Rugby. In 2018, Curtis stopped playing due to a lengthy run of concus...

This week’s guest is Mark Bernays Mark has been coaching for about 16 years He has coached both Junior and senior rugby at Oatley Rugby Club in Sydney NSW. Mark is also the Director of Junior Rugby at Southern Districts Rugby Club. During this chat we spoke about creating a team environment and getting to know your players. We also discussed have enjoyment in training and treating everyone fairly...

This week’s episode is with Alana Thomas. Alana is the current Head Coach for the Melbourne Rebels Super W team. Alana started playing rugby in 2001 in Orange after being invited by uni friends. She represented Central West Rugby from 2002-2010, NSW Country 2003-2010, Aus Wallaroos 2006-2010 Victorian State 7’s 2012-2014. Alana retired from playing after a serious concussion which was one of 12, s...

The weeks conversation is part 3 of a 3-part series where I speak with Dr Andy Gilbert PhD and Associate Professor at George Mason University. Andy Gilbert started his grassroots coaching journey at the university level in the United States 20 years ago. Some of his early coaching roles included backs and attack coach at New Mexico State University) as well as head coaching roles at Kent State Uni...

This episode is part 2 of a 3 part series speaking with Dr Andy Gilbert PhD and Associate Professor at George Mason University. Andy Gilbert started his grassroots coaching journey at the university level in the United States 20 years ago. Some of his early coaching roles included backs and attack coach at New Mexico State University) as well as head coaching roles at Kent State University and Eve...

The weeks episode is part 1 of a 3 part conversation with Dr Andy Gilbert PhD and Associate Professor at George Mason University. Andy Gilbert started his grassroots coaching journey at the university level in the United States 20 years ago. Some of his early coaching roles included backs and attack coach at New Mexico State University) as well as head coaching roles at Kent State University and E...

This episode is with Andrew Fraser. Andrew has been the Assistant Coach at Hunter Wildfires in the Shute Shield and has recently been appointed as Assistant Coach at Bond University in the Hospital Cup. He has also held positions as both Assistant and Head Coach at many NSW Country Championship teams. During our chat we spoke about how you must be prepared as a coach, learning the skill of communi...

This is second part of my chat with Merlin Gape O’Donnell. In this episode we discussed Players moving to another club for their development. As coaches what environments are we Creating environments for our players. Learning how to coach through coaching different sports Finding a Mentor creating a stake holder map Self reflection and learning

This is part 1 of a 2 part sepisode In this episode I speak with Merlin Gape O'Donnell. Merlin works in sports development and has previously worked for England Rugby as a Community Rugby Coach. He is currently one of the U15 DPP lead coaches for Harlequins in the UK and is currently in his sixth season for the club. In his former Director of Rugby role at Weybridge Vandals, Merlin established a p...

This is the second part of my discussion with Jonny McMurtry. In this episode we discuss Jonny's recent research around "Why players play and what is important to them" In his research he was looking at the motivations of elite U20 age grade players. His research was part of his Masters and was completed in conjunction with University of Queensland and the Australian Rugby Union.

This week’s episode is with Jonny McMurtry Jonny works in coach development with Coaching the Coaches webpage (www.coachingthecoaches.net) and Rugby Coach Weekly He also works as a facilitator with Outside the Locker Room Jonny is also an International Gymnastics AUS Advanced Silver Coaching He has held many roles in coach development as well as working on work within various sporting organization...

This weeks episode is with Jonathan Flynn. He is originally from Scotland. Jonathan is currently coaching the senior team at Rugby Club Metz (Fédérale 2, France) and at Rugby Club Luxembourg (1st Division in Germany). He has Spent 5 years as head coach of the Luxembourg national team (15s and 7s) he has also coached club rugby in Belgium, Luxembourg, and various national age grade teams. Jonathan...

This weeks episode is with Tomas Marks. Tom has previously worked for the Welsh Rugby Union for 7 years in development, he has also worked for the RFU. He now runs Coffee and Rugby Coaching Services. In this episode we spoke about the use of mentors for your development, which helps with making you’re a better coach. Using the APES principle for training. Timing of questioning and Peer to Peer coa...

Duncan Chubb is the current Top Squad Forwards Coach with Southern Districts in the Shute Shield Duncan recently transitioned into coaching after his playing career where he played 220 games for Southern Districts as well as playing for Melbourne Rising and New South Wales Country in the National Rugby Championship. As well as touring New Zealand with the 2015 Australian Barbarians. We talked abou...

In this episode I chat with Jack Rolfe. Jack runs The Coaching Lab which is a coach education company working with coaches from all over the world. We discussed game-based training to grow decision making and preparing players to play the game, use of modified rules and equipment to suit the environment. Using the game as feedback, coaching players from chaos to clarity Coach through cards and gam...

In this episode I am speaking with the newly appointed Head Coach of Two Blues Premier Women’s Team Beth Whaanga. **This conversion was recorded prior to Beth's appointment which is why it is not mentioned in the episode.** Beth is a mother of four. She is a forensic criminologist, with a dual master’s in forensic Mental Health and another in Criminology and Criminal Justice. Beth is a level three...

In this episode I am chatting with Brett Gallagher. I first met Brett when we both worked for RugbyWA.  At the time of recording Brett was the General Manager for Shute Shield club Southern Districts. During his time at Southern Districts he was also the Head of their Colts (U20) program. Brett has been involved with Grassroots Rugby for 25 years. He has worked in Player and Game Development...

Originally from London, Tom is now based in Berlin,  He has been traveling the world to learn about the various codes of rugby in Fiji, New Zealand, Australia and parts of Europe and Asia. Having coached touch to beginners and worked with academy / youth internationals in league and union, he’s seen a variety of approaches at varying levels and is always happy to share successful solutions wi...

This episode is with Ollie Reid Ollie is the Current Player & Coach Development Director Ivanhoe Knights (Melbourne Australia) He is also the Head Coach RMIT University Men’s Big V State League He has previous coaching experience in England, USA & various senior and junior club roles in Australia. If you want to reach out to Ollie contact him on coaching.director@ivanhoeknights.org Music p...

This week's guest is James Wunsch James coaches Daramalan College  Under 13's in Canberra. We discussed people management skills, having a learning mindset and be open to different coaching options as there is no one size fits all approach to coaching.

This episode is with Dave Ellis.  He has Over 30 years’ experience in player skill development and coach education. He developed a partnership with Barry Honan in Australia - our software company called Digisport produced coaching resources for various sports. He then headed back to New Zealand to take up a coaching role for the International Rugby Academy (IRANZ) and produce coaching resourc...

Andrew is based in Melbourne but is originally from New Zealand. He coaches both Junior Cricket and Rugby He is the current rugby coach of the U16s at Brighton Grammar (Melbourne, Australia) He also coach at Racing Rugby and helps out at the Moorabbin Rugby Clun, he has been the coach or assistant coach for teams from u10 to u18 across boys and girls in both sports. Andrew has been coaching cricke...

In this episode I am speaking with Nick Combes.  Nick is a Level 3 World Rugby Accredited Coach.  In 2018 he established the Longhorns Rugby Academy where he is currently the Head Coach and Director. The Longhorns Rugby Academy, provides rugby services to clubs, schools, representative programs supporting coaches and players for ongoing development across Australia. Over the years he has...