Professional Staff Take Part In Online Senior Coaching Courses

Tuesday, 26 January saw the final presentation conducted for this season’s online Munster Rugby Senior coaching course.

Traditionally this course would be run over two and a half days of face-to-face interaction but with the current restrictions, the Rugby Development Department have adapted accordingly to provide a more blended approach to their course deliveries. The modules delivered all aspects as part of the overall award for the participating coaches.    

The attending 45 coaches were presented modules by the following coaching and management staff from the professional team:

• General Play Attack – Senior Coach Stephen Larkham;
• Fitness for the Player – Senior S&C Coach Damien O’Donoghue;
• General Play Defence – Defence Coach JP Ferreira;
• Skill Development – Technical Skills Development Coach Mike Pettman;
• General Play Contact – Head of Rugby Development Colm McMahon;
• Scrum Development – Forwards Coach Graham Rowntree;
• Line-Out – Head Coach Johann van Graan.

Completing the program on Backline Attack was Paul Barr, who with over 30 years experience in coaching brought some great insight on his experiences and successes when coaching in Cork Constitution, PBC, Irish Schools and Bandon Rugby Club over the years. 

Senior Coach Stephen Larkham during the online Munster Rugby Senior Coaching Course

Speaking during his line-out presentation, head coach Van Graan said:

“The work you guys do in Munster is incredible and the difference you make is massive. If there is one thing I’ve learned in Munster Rugby, it’s the spirit of community.”

The Munster head coach also thanked the participating coaches for all the work they do with their respective teams.

The presenters shared their knowledge and experiences with coaching the specific topics and interacted with coaches through breakout tasks and Q&A. These presentations act as part of the participants’ accreditation with online assignments and a full-day practical also to be completed. The senior course was one of two courses conducted during the month of January with the development department conducting a youth course earlier in the month.

Commenting on the Coach Education Programme, Munster Coach and Player Development Manager Keith Murphy said: 

“Due to the current restrictions, January offered us the opportunity to run two more courses online. We have had to react to the current pandemic and with that, we integrated a more blended approach to our formal coach education offerings this season. We have run seven online courses to over 350 attendees since October and all participant coaches have commenced their respective awards by attending the virtual classes and undertaking online assignments through the GAINLINE learning management system.”

Defence Coach JP Ferreira during the online Munster Rugby Senior Coaching Course

Referring to the process of accreditation for coaches, Murphy also said:

“Engaging with online learning and submitting assignments has been a new requirement following the introduction of GAINLINE last season. Many coaches have engaged with this very well and it is great to see coaches completing the award and getting their respective certificates. This season many of the coaches have again engaged this process and only require the on-pitch practical to complete the award. Our rugby development team are looking forward to supporting the coaches through this process and in particular, presenting the material in a more practical environment when the opportunity arises.”

The Rugby Development Department are finalising plans for another coaching children course, specifically for those working within girls’ mini rugby. Expressions of interest for this course or enquiries regarding coaching courses can be sought by emailing education@munsterrugby.ie.