Junior Rugby players and coaches keen to upskill enjoyed taking part in the CrestClean LeslieRugby Junior Rugby Coaching Programme in Pukekohe.
Held at the Pukekohe Rugby Football Club on Sunday, March 20, the session was one of 11 that have been held so far this month.
The programme is aimed at junior rugby coaches and/or parents who are interested in coaching the game in the future. It promotes fundamental skill development and makes it easier for junior team coaches to deliver a high value rugby practice. The programme also ensures players are given an enjoyable and beneficial experience. Coaches receive a pocket-sized Skills and Drills booklet that makes it easier for them to train teams.
During each session, which are run by former Highlanders and Scotland Captain John Leslie, a team of 12-year-olds demonstrate 14 core skills while he explains his coaching philosophies and tips for keeping the energy high and the game fun for kids.
John Leslie says the sessions that have been held so far have been well received.
“They have gone really well. Often parents have come to drop their kids off but have ended up staying because they have found the content compelling and they’ve really enjoyed watching the coaching session,” he says. “There’s been a lot of positive feedback from parents.”
South Auckland Regional Manager Viky Narayan enjoyed watching the session.
“It was a good turnout – there were heaps of young kids and they were all eager. The parents were too, some had notebooks and they were writing things down that John was saying. There were about 20-30 parents/kids there,” he says.
“I was very proud to be able to watch the kids enjoy themselves and the benefits they got out of this one session were huge. It is great that CrestClean are able to sponsor such a fantastic community initiative.”
