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Sligo RFC has become the latest club to adopt the Rugby For Children (RFC) coaching model.
The programme has energised the mini rugby experience with players constantly active in a rotation of fun, developmental and skills activities.
Coach Development Officer Gavin Foley led the workshop for coaches of U7 to U12 teams, where they could see the GAME Box, SKILL Box and FUN Box in action.
Game Box Small Sided Games which avoids bigger numbers of kids with no space and less touches on the ball
Fun Box Allows the players to be less focused with more fun.
Skills Box This allows coaches to focus on key skills with more outcome eg catch/throw tackle tech.
This format caters towards children's needs of variety and changing environments while providing skills development in both game and reduced activities.
Credit must go to Phelim O'Connor and David Gerrity of Sligo RFC for facilitating the workshop.
Phelim O'Connor says:
The programme has energised the mini rugby experience with players constantly active in a rotation of fun, developmental and skills activities.
Coach Development Officer Gavin Foley led the workshop for coaches of U7 to U12 teams, where they could see the GAME Box, SKILL Box and FUN Box in action.
Game Box Small Sided Games which avoids bigger numbers of kids with no space and less touches on the ball
Fun Box Allows the players to be less focused with more fun.
Skills Box This allows coaches to focus on key skills with more outcome eg catch/throw tackle tech.
This format caters towards children's needs of variety and changing environments while providing skills development in both game and reduced activities.
Credit must go to Phelim O'Connor and David Gerrity of Sligo RFC for facilitating the workshop.
Phelim O'Connor says:
"The framework helps coaches to maximize game time - and also helps to remind that there needs to be a balance of fun activities and skills with small sided games throughout every session. We’ve used the format at U11 now for a number of weeks and it’s been working really well. The kids love it, and it has actually helped manage our increasing numbers. With this week's session it will be great to see the new standard used for all our mini age groups. I can’t see us ever reverting to the standard drills which we used over the years."
Gavin Foley added:
"The level of activity children are experiencing in these sessions speaks volumes. We set out to create a fun experience for children , while supporting the challenges coaches have in time constraints and coaching resources. In clubs who have adopted the programme we are already seeing more skill repetition and smiles on faces."
