Ways to prepare for Rugby World Cup 2025 (part 1)
Get excited for the world cup and how you can ramp up your environment
This week, news about the Rugby World Cup 2025 started to increase the excitment for the competition.
Sunderland’s Stadium of Light was announced as the venue for the opening match. As I write this I’m trying to contain my excitement enough to type conherent sentences.
I’m an advocate of taking rugby to venues beyond the Twickenham postcode. It’s right that the final takes place at the home of English rugby. However, starting the competition in the north of the country is a great way to draw in crowds from different areas of the country. As a coach based in the north of the country (Yorkshire), having games up and down England matters.
The venues are: Sunderland, York, Manchester, Northampton, London, Bristol, Brighton & Hove and Exeter.
If you’re at a club near a host venue:
You can build up the excitement at your club and team.
Talk with the players about the world cup coming to your city
Mention your club being near the host venue on social media
If you want to build up excitement wherever you are:
You can theme your training sessions.
Plan games around playing like a Red Rose or a Black Fern
Ask players to play like Sarah Bern or Ruby Tui
(I’ll be writing a follow up article with some ideas about how to theme your sessions around the 2025 World Cup and international women’s rugby)
Some of the other news this week was the announcement of Jo Yapp as the new head coach of the Wallaroos, Australia Women’s team. Jo is a highly experienced coach and her coaching CV includes: England U20s, Worcester and Barbarians.
Her name was constantly mentioned on the shortlist of who might takeover coaching the Red Roses after Simon Middleton’s departure.
This news has raised questions about pathways for female coaches within England. It is a shame that a coach of Jo’s talent has sought opportunities elsewhere. However this is a step in the right direction. There needs to be more female head coaches of international (men’s and women’s) teams.
You can help grow the numbers of female coaches and help support existing coaches.
If you’re a female coach:
Look to develop a good support network. It can be tough when you’re challenged or assumed to not be the coach.
Form a support network of other coaches, friends and family.
Seek out other female coaches or women involved in sport to chat to.
Discuss the issue with the team you coach. Players can be a vital part of a support system, especially if you are assumed to not be a coach in front of them.
(I’ll be sharing more tips about this in the future)
If you’re at a club wanting to develop female coaches:
Female coaches are often assumed not to be a coach. Aim to counter some of this by getting branded club stash with the word "‘Coach’ on. This will also help your coaches feel like they belong and are valued.
Shout about all your coaches and volunteers equally on social media. This will help all volunteers feel values but also raises the profile of female coaches
If you have a topic you’d like me to discuss/write about please reach out.