Penryn coach learns from rugby greats
This course is presented by some of the world's best coaches and international players and is based on the successful Rugby Academy in New Zealand.
Penryn College recently sent their head of rugby, Graeme Stewart to the Investec International Rugby Academy. This is part of a drive by Penryn to develop their staff in their area of work and is well timed with Penryn hosting the Mpumalanga Medium Schools rugby finals this Saturday.
This course is presented by some of the world’s best coaches and international players and is based on the successful Rugby Academy in New Zealand.
The advanced coaches course was held at St Charles College in Pietermaritzburg and entails 70 hours of lectures and practicals in seven days. It is quite intensive for the presenters and coaches and is focused on practical knowledge that coaches can use to improve themselves and their teams.
Some of the presenters are well known in South African rugby and past Springbok coaches, such as Ian McIntosh and Peter de Villiers. These legends of the game were willing to share their vast knowledge with the coaches on the course and were very approachable for questions and informal discussions.
Other notable presenters were:
• Butch James (Springbok)
• Ian Macdonald (Springbok)
• Brent Russell (Springbok)
• Gary Gold (Springbok assistant coach and Sharks head coach)
• Braam Van Straaten (Springbok)
Some of the areas the course covers were:
• Video analysis
• Skills development
• Backline attack
• Set-piece defence
• Kicking
• Counter-attack
• The breakdown
• Laws of the game
• Coaching philosophies.
“It was well worth the journey and I feel as if my coaching career has moved five years ahead because of the knowledge I obtained on the course. It will truly benefit Penryn rugby going forward,” said Stewart.
