Follow your lead

The Quote of the Week this issue (at the end) comes from my son, Rhys, who also coaches.

When your child tells you they want to go into coaching, it’s a special moment.

Coaching is about more than just teaching skills; it’s a chance to make an impact, help others grow, and share a love for the game.

If your child wants to follow in your footsteps, here’s some advice to help them get started.

Firstly, a few essentials. Encourage them to learn every player’s name – this might seem small, but makes a huge difference. It shows respect and helps players feel valued.

They should also find out what each player enjoys most at training and incorporate more of that into sessions.

Not only does this keep players engaged, it also makes training something they look forward to.

Lastly, they should regularly ask players what they feel they need to improve on, and then work with them to create a plan.

This involvement gives players ownership over their development, making them more motivated to put in the work.

Then, there’s the wisdom we pick up from others – sometimes even our kids!

I’ve learned from my sons that trying too hard to be cool or act like you know it all doesn’t resonate.

Kids respond to genuine care and interest, so it’s essential to focus on that, instead of impressing them.

It’s important for coaches to take a back seat during training – it’s about the players, not you. And they’re here to play, so make your sessions feel active and engaging. If it’s rugby, let’s play rugby!

Finally, coaching is a journey. Some things will only come with experience. Not every session will go perfectly – and, even in great sessions, some things won’t land as planned.

Over time, young coaches will learn to embrace those moments as part of the learning process.

Also, encourage them to be themselves – they don’t need to be a ’Mini-me’ of another coach.

Lastly, improvement comes with practice. Just like any other skill, coaching requires consistent, hands-on experience. The more they engage with their players and learn from each session, the better they’ll become.

Coaching is challenging, but incredibly rewarding. With these guiding principles, your child will be well on their way to making a real difference.