Coaches desperately needed to secure our next generation rugby heroes.
Our middle tier schools in South Africa are desperately calling for assistance with the coaching of their rugby players, at all age levels.
The shortage of male teachers who can coach a sports code such as rugby is evident in the decline of rugby players and the abandoned rugby fields at many schools. Having teachers at any schools who are qualified to be a head coach for a team sport are essential to introduce and promote the sport as well as to get learners enthusiastic to participate in the practice sessions. Most schools who find themselves in the predicament of internal teacher-coach shortages have to revert to outsourcing their sport coaching,( if they have the budget therefore) or alternatively , they stop the sport altogether due to a lack of funds to employ external coaches.
The other option is that they often find parents or alumni to become coaches, of whom many are not qualified in physical education or as coaches to lay the fundamental foundation principles of the sport. Often the coaching style is not age appropriate, and this leads to premature injuries or unrealistic expectations required from the player at a particular age. Coaching is also not a shoe-fit for all, and it requires a person to have the right personality, emotional intelligence and attributes to manage diverse children in a group sport. South Africa as a country with diverse cultures, language and socio-economic backgrounds offers various challenges for a coach on- and off the field.
Women’s rugby in South Africa has an even larger crisis as it is not a sport typically practised at school level, and as such most girls interested in rugby are only introduced to the game post GR 12. The call is urgent for qualified coaches to sustain the rugby success of the current Springboks. Coaches play a “make or break” role in the lives of young aspirant player athletes. The wrong words, actions and perceptions hereof, can change a young man or woman’s life forever, and can often lead to talented athletes giving up prematurely and never reaching their potential. South Africa is blessed with an abundance of talent however, we need to invest into the nurturing and development hereof with qualified coaches in communities, clubs, and schools. If we don’t, then we will be responsible for seeing many of our young , unpolished “diamonds” lost forever, who could be our next generation heroes, next generation Springboks, representative of the South African rainbow nation narrative.
How do you become a rugby coach?
First and foremost, you need to become a student of the game. It takes a passion, dedication, and research ability to “study” a sports code thoroughly. Rugby coaching has two fundamental pillars, one being the code itself, and the other the skills you need to learn by attending accredited training and education programmes in coaching. These programmes also teach communication skills, barriers to communication and understanding, coaching methodologies, management principles etc. Applying technology in coaching has become a huge requirement, as such competing a video analysis programme is also recommended, as well as the World Rugby Level 1 and 2 coaching programmes. For most semi-professional team coaching, a minimum World rugby Level 2 is required by unions and world rugby as well as a substantial number of years’ experience. It is also important to get into coaching by registering for an internship programme in coaching that also includes a national accredited coaching programme. The earlier you start to become a student of the game of rugby, the earlier your dreams to become a full-time coach can be achieved. It truly is a satisfying career for a person who has a teaching/coaching spirit, and a passion for the game.
Where can I study coaching?
UXi International Rugby Institutes offer three accredited rugby career programmes, online or face to face courses (on behalf of HFPA), , in coaching, video and game analysis and strength and conditioning coaching for rugby. All these programmes are one year and include internship and placement for practical assessment. UXi also assists with coaching job opportunities once the student-coach has completed the programme, passed the National qualification as well as World Rugby Level 1 and 2. There are also higher level courses that a student coach can pursue on NQF 6.
Why is an internship required when I want to become a coach?
The only way you can become a successful coach is by shadowing accredited coaches daily. It is important to see theory translate into practical application, it’s also the fastest way to learn fundamentals by being monitored and evaluated, whilst coaching. Most coaches will start with junior coaching first, and as their confidence and knowledge improve adjust to older players. UXi International Rugby Institutes have weekly video and game analysis sessions within their dedicated video and game analysis faculty. The footage of over fifty games per season is analysed and utilised in rugby understanding, defence and attack principles , position specific analysis and statistics that are studied to improve athletes and team performances. Having various mentors in one programme, who are also licenced trainers and educators that can shape your future are essential as these mentors become a coaching network for life!
Why Word Rugby?
Wikipedia defines World Rugby as “the governing body for the sport of rugby unions. World Rugby organises the Rugby World Cup every four years, the sport’s most recognised and most profitable competition”. It also has 113 member unions and world-wide 17 associated unions.
They are world rugby’s face when it comes to quality assured and licenced rugby programmes that are available through online learning and or unions choose to deliver the Level 1 and 2 programmes through trained and quality assured facilitators. They offer a network of over 2000 licenced trainers and educators. It is imperative to accredited education courses so please check the accreditation status of a provider before registering for a rugby coaching career programme.
South African rugby NEEDS YOU!
