Volunteer coaches inspired by Borthwick
Steve Borthwick delivered a coaching session to ten volunteer coaches at St George’s Park in Burton as part of the RFU’s Honda Volunteer Recognition Programme. The volunteers were chosen because of their support of the sport and commitment to their development as coaches offering players the best experience.
When you’re a volunteer coaching at rugby’s grassroots, as you’re putting in the effort weekly for your players and your own development, you don’t expect suddenly to be working with England men’s head coach, Steve Borthwick.
But that’s exactly what happened recently when ten volunteer coaches from across the country gathered at St George’s Park in Burton. With them were 20 enthusiastic players aged 14 to 16 from local schools The de Ferrers Academy and Queen Elizabeth School, Ashbourne.
The coaches were chosen because of their support of the sport and commitment to their development as coaches offering players the best experience. They and the young players were clearly motivated to learn and loving the opportunity which came through the RFU’s Honda Volunteer Recognition Programme.
Borthwick said: “Rugby in England always starts at the grassroots. Every player starts somewhere with grassroots coaches helping them to develop, so it’s really important to continue to reward grassroots coaches for all the work they do.”
Sophie Wickens from Wiveliscombe RFC said the opportunity to learn from Borthwick was an amazing accolade. “I’m super grateful and will especially take away simplicity, keeping things simple and adding layers of complexity when players have got it.”
Dominik Byrne from Wellington RFC said it was great to learn from the England boss an understanding of the similarities and differences in elite and community rugby. “I’ve really taken on board how to work as co-coaches and get one strategy for your club, that and the importance of how you communicate.”
