BURNLEY RUFC COACHING UPDATE – APRIL 2012

New Coach
Congratulations to Simon Finnan who has taken over as the Burnley RUFC coach whilst still orchestrating the team from stand-off. He is a Calder Vale/Burnley RUFC man to his finger tips being a son of Past President Tony having initially played for the Junior teams as well as for Lancashire U15s and U16s. He is combining this new responsibility with being coach of the Junior Colts and also the Team Secretary. Simon is currently at Burnley College doing a Sports Science course. He is full of ideas and has instituted fitness training at Perform Centre in Waterfoot. The strict and scientific approach of Sports Trainer Dave Bell, formerly of Bristol RFC and Harlequins RFC, has been readily embraced by the players. Good luck Simon and keep up the good work.

Team News
Simon Finnan’s enthusiasm and approach has resulted in a remarkable turn-round with the first team winning their last four matches. They had the additional benefit of gaining bonus points for scoring four tries in all of them. This has lifted them up to ninth in North Lancashire Division One. It has been done by playing with freedom and energy with a well-drilled pack combining with the rapier-like finishing of the young backs. The second team has also had a recent good run in the University of Salford Division Four North and is now sixth. The third team is currently eleventh in the University of Salford Division Five North. Congratulations to Ryan Bradley and Jack Stockdale who have been members of the England Deaf squad.

This has come about as a result of good attendance at training on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, as well as the intensive fitness training at Perform Centre in Waterfoot. Should you know of anybody who would like to share the benefits of playing rugby at Holden Road, please contact Team Secretary Simon Finnan - 07988 122186 [M]. We need to hit the ground running for the start of next season.

Coaches Sick List Latest
Phil Leck has happily put his gastric problems behind him and is enjoying his new position as coach to Hawick in Scotland. He has encouraged them to play with a freedom and they have won 14 out of their last 17 matches. He has not forgotten his times at Holden Road and regularly passes on his experience to Simon Finnan. Congratulations to him on achieving the RFU Level Four Coaching Award

Andy Roberts has now recovered from his neck injury. The team at Burnley College team plays its home matches in the British Colleges Sport North West Division 1 Competition at Holden Road. Their stand-off Lewis Allen was selected to play for England Colleges on their tour to Portugal.

Nic Ralph bravely continues his fight against illness. We look forward to having him back fit and well for the start of next season.

Getty Schinkel has moved on to coach Manchester FC. We wish him well in his new position and thank him for all he contributed to the club, both as a player and a coach.

Rugby Ready Course
The Rugby Ready course is mandatory before applying for Level 1 and Level 2 Award courses. Courses being held in the near future are at Didsbury Toc H on Mon 16th April - (6pm-9pm); at Liverpool St Helens RFC on Mon 23rd April - (6pm-9pm) and at Preston Grasshoppers RFC on Wed 9th May - (6pm-9pm). Please pass the word round and encourage your friends and parents new to the Club to attend one of these introductory courses. Playing experience is not necessary.

Level One Coaching Award
Are there any Coaches who have obtained the Rugby Ready Award, and shown commitment to coaching the Junior teams, who would like to go on a Level One Course in the summer? Please contact me.

Level Two Coaching Award
Simon Finnan will be taking the Level Two Coaching Award following the experience he has gained coaching the First Team and the Junior Colts. This will take place at Kirkham Grammar School. It will start on Sun 29th April and then continue with two full days of intensive practical coaching tasks on Sun 20th & Sun 27th May. Good luck Simon and the Club looks forward to benefitting from all the knowledge you will gain whilst being involved with the Level Two Coaching Award

RFU CPD Courses
Coaches wishing to progress to the Level Two Course are expected to hold the Level One Coaching Award, coach a team regularly and attend CPD courses. These sessions are aimed at developing coaches and giving them a chance to see how to develop these skills in their players through a live training session. There will also be a chance for coaches to ask questions and see the answers being coached. All sessions will be game-based to improve the game-sense coaching approach.

Details of RFU coaching courses, and a variety of other courses connected with Rugby, can be found on the Lancashire County Rugby Football Union website, (www.lancashirerugby.com), under the Coaching section.

Refereeing Courses
An ELRA Part One and Part Two Course will be held at Stockport RFC on Sat 12th & Sun 13th May 2012.

This course is an ideal opportunity to improve your refereeing skills which will make your officiating at Junior matches and Club matches more effective, and hence more enjoyable. It will also be helpful for any person hoping to further their coaching career. Please contact me if you are interested in attending this course. See www.lancashirerugby.com under the Referee section for other courses which will be arranged in the near future.

Coaches of Junior Teams
It has been a successful season for the Junior Section ably supervised by Chairman Mick Heys and his dedicated corps of coaches who look after the five age-group squads. Thanks to all the Volunteers who supported the teams throughout the season on and off the field.

The U17 Junior Colts and U19 Senior Colts teams completed all their fixtures in the Raging Bull North West Leagues. CRC Chris Lowden and Robin Reid coached the Senior Colts and Simon Finnan the Junior Colts with Fudgey Hutchinson, Jack Stockdale and Tim Frankland.

Mick Heys is always keen to learn of any parents or players who would like to get involved. He awaits a call on 07972 281680 [M].

RFU Coach Licensing & Registration Scheme
From January 2012 coaches across the country will be able to join the RFU Coach Licensing and Registration Scheme. Since January 2, 718 coaches have successfully applied for their licence.

See the coach licence application on-line – Step-by Step Guide with this update.

Coaching qualification courses have been, and still are, a key coach development tool, but their prime focus is to train and accredit a coach against a set of competencies. Equally as important is the need for coaches to undertake regular training that maintains their coaching knowledge and skills. The RFU Coach Licensing and Registration Scheme is a new initiative designed to encourage coaches to take responsibility for their own development.

The RFU Coaching Department is committed to supporting coach development through a range of short continuous personal development courses (CPD) that will be delivered at a local level to supplement the RFU's Coach Development Programmes.

What does it mean for coaches?
All coaches who attend and achieve either a Level 1, 2, 3 or 4 qualification will be granted a coach licence, subject to a satisfactory Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check and their agreement to comply with the Coach Licence Terms and Conditions. Existing qualified coaches are invited to apply, free of charge, for a coach licence provided they meet the licence requirements. For more information and to apply on line, click here

You will be asked for your RFU login details to access the application form. If you do not have these please contact judyweavers@rfu.com or rugbyfirstsupport@therfu.com com and they will supply you with the necessary details.

The licence will last for a maximum of three years from the award date, or until the CRB check expires. Coaches will then be required to reapply for the licence.

All coaches will be registered on the RugbyFirst database and their attendance and involvement in CPD courses will be tracked through the system. Licensed coaches will receive their own personalised Coach Licence Card which will give them access to a range of benefits.

The Coach Licensing and Registration Scheme will be closely linked to a newly developed RFU Online Coaching Academy. The Coaching Academy will be the vehicle through which a range of benefits will be delivered to member coaches, including:
• A new password-protected coaches website
• Access to regularly updated video and animated practices
• A range of CPD courses to support coach development
• A regular coaching newsletter with news and updates
• 15% Discount at The Rugby Store either shopping online or in store

The RFU Community Rugby Coach Situation
Chris Lowden has been the RFU CRC Burnley and Pendle for the last couple of years effectively helping Burnley RUFC and Colne & Nelson RUFC with their development. The RFU has altered the structure of the CRC programme with 130 becoming fully paid employees of the RFU reporting to Twickenham. This number will concentrate on the RFU development focuses of Women’s Rugby, inner cities and deprived areas. It has resulted in North Lancashire now only having two CRCs rather than five and so Burnley RUFC and Colne & Nelson RUFC will no longer have any direct call upon a CRC’s time.

Our two clubs have agreed that they would like to continue to have a Development Officer and, with the help of the North Lancashire Rugby Development Officer Stuart Urquhart, are currently investigating ways of raising finance to fund the new post. The hours will depend upon the available money. Do you know of any benefactor who might be able to help with this invaluable initiative? Watch this space.

CRB Disclosure Reminder
Please check your CRB disclosure certificate. It is mandatory for coaches to have a valid Criminal Records Bureau disclosure certificate, specifically for Rugby Union. Any coach without a certificate should contact the Club Safeguarding Officer, Fran Murphy on franhome@hotmail.com or 07761 652266 [M]. There is no charge.

Any Questions
Should any member have any queries, about any of the courses, I can be contacted on 01282 771120 (H/B) or 07771 711405 (M), or by e-mail on hughes@peter855.orangehome.co.uk

Peter Hughes (Club Coaching Co-ordinator) 7.4.2012