Be the best version of you
I met Ross Doneghan when we were both in Aotearoa New Zealand absorbing all we could from the Crusaders. Ross explains how care is paramount within coaching.
I'm Head Coach of Richmond Women’s Rugby, playing in the English Championship, as well as various other coaching roles across South West England.
Financial issues prevent women’s rugby from reaching the heights of the mens game. But we are going in the right direction. It's a very exciting time for the women's game!
Playing opportunities in the PWR have increased for players in the championship which is fantastic.
However, prem teams are therefore bolstering their squad sizes, which can leave championship teams short at crucial stages in the season in certain positions, most notably, in the tight 5.
England Rugby are regularly providing opportunities for grassroots coaches to develop and attend workshops/CPDs. However there is a lack of female coaches in the championship and down, which I believe is a shame.
I would love to see more players getting involved in grassroots coaching. It is an initiative we are working hard on at Richmond Rugby, with women’s players attending age grade coaching sessions regularly.
In a typical Richmond session, we provide technical and tactical learning objectives. The players have branded it: Learning Tuesdays - Consolidation Thursdays. There are always defence and attack objectives within all drills, skill zones, unit sessions and games.
Care is paramount at Richmond. We are very focused on developing the person first, then the player. Resilience, decision making and self-confidence are just a few of the values we promote during our environment.
We want rugby to be another vehicle in their lives to help them be the best they can be.
I’m a PE teacher and my view of care within coaching has been tremendously affected by teaching. As Grant Keenan, at Crusaders, once said, people don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care. We get the best out of people when we put their best interests at the forefront. School and Rugby pitch alike.
I’ve also been coaching on the Scottish Qualified camps and it has been fantastic. Being a part of the next generation of Scottish female players is something I take huge pride in. Alba Gu Bra. Watch this space.
My advice to other coaches is to encourage your players to coach. It will promote their own game IQ and understanding, in turn making them likely to learn and develop even faster as a rugby player.
Coaching Philosophy: It's more that I try to coach using certain values:
Authenticity (being the best version of Ross and promoting my players/students to do the same)
Resilience (stand up and fight attitude)
Connection (tapping into what is bringing players to the game and growing that drive and the person alongside that)