New rugby league coaching course is unveiled
Sports students from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) will learn from the professionals through a new course backed by the Rugby Football League (RFL).
Students can take rugby league coaching qualifications up to an advanced level as a top-up to their current course. They are taught by Andy Proctor, a UCLan sports coaching lecturer and tutor on the nationally recognised UK Coaching Certificate (UKCC) Level Three Conditioning for Rugby League.
The course is also run by Craig Richards, the RFL talent coach for Lancashire, Leigh and Wigan.
He said: "The programme ensures that coaches have the appropriate skills to work with young children. They are given extensive resources including movement skills and games cards specifically designed for younger players."
England Rugby League Head Coach, Steve McNamara, said: "The new qualification will enable coaches to deliver appropriate training sessions for young players to improve their development in Rugby League. This will provide a great foundation for all young peoples' participation in sport and in the long term the National team will benefit significantly from this."
All three course levels take place at the University's multi-million pound UCLan Sports Arena (USA.) Knowledge of the game is not a necessity, however the course is recommended for parents or volunteers that will be working with children in the future.
Sports development students from UCLan and sports students from Preston College have already been treated to a taster session in level one of the coaching course and players from the University's rugby league team, who play in the top flight of student rugby, the Super 8 League, have enrolled onto level two.
Craig added: "The students showed very good coaching knowledge and enthusiasm and we were confident they will now be able to deliver fun and appropriate rugby league sessions to help develop young people."