Structure aims to ease development of players

To bring through the next generation of talented sportsmen and

women, every club needs a network of coaches. Robin Roussel looks at how rugby is developing the future Carl Johnsons and Jock Quesnels In a positive attempt to provide a more-structured start to the rugby season, John Wood, David Parish and their colleagues have planned two very different initiatives.

First, there is a course for senior players and club coaches on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Hampshire rugby development officers will run a level-one session based at the Guernsey Rugby Club premises and pitch.

It is very encouraging to learn that 16 prospective Guernsey coaches will attend and a further eight current coaches will be there to freshen up their techniques. To the GRC's delight, three of those 24 attending the course will be senior players.

The club is applying to the Guernsey Sports Commission for partial funding under the Sports Development Unit's category one.

Secondly, the GRUFC is holding coaching sessions for mini and youth rugby players:

This series will be held on Sunday 24, Monday 25 and Tuesday 26 October and are therefore timed to coincide with half-term.

The courses, sponsored by NatWest, will be tutored by coaches working for NRG - Next Rugby Generation - a UK company.

Four coaches, each qualified to level two or above, will visit the island. All are or were international players in one age group or another.

Each of the three days will be sub-divided into morning and afternoon sessions: 9am-noon for under-nine to under-12-year-olds (children in school Years 4 to 7 inclusive).

These youngsters have recently moved from tag rugby to the full game. Boys and girls are welcome to attend these morning coaching sessions.

From 1-4pm, boys only, aged between 13 and 17, are invited to attend and will be coached in all aspects of the 15-a-side game on a full-sized pitch.

These youth training sessions will be based at the Garenne Stand and adjacent pitch.

The facilities provide excellent changing and washing areas, good classroom potential and a good training pitch.

Those attending the three-day course will be required to pay a one-off fee of £25.