Jack’s Coaching Diary

A week in the life of Community Coach Jack Heald (14th – 20th Sept 2009)

Now our mad schedule of Summer MasterClasses have finished I’ve mainly been concentrating on the schools in Spelthorne and helping out with the London Irish Amateur Club.

Since starting my role I've been present at many sessions ran by London Irish Amateur coaches and lent a hand wherever possible. My main aim is to try and increase the quality of coaching throughout the age groups, working with the coaches to ensure we try and maintain the highest quality of coaching throughout London Irish, starting with the Amateur sides.

Monday 14th September

On Monday I made my first appearance at St Paul's Catholic School and assisted the London Irish AASE boys (Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence) who run sessions from Year 7 to Year 11 as part of their AASE programme. I'll be helping to strengthen our relationship with the school who are doing their bit to drive rugby union and get players down to London Irish Amateurs on a Sunday morning!

That evening I had a very promising meeting with Martin Holian who is the London Irish Amateurs U12 Manager. We will be launching the London Irish Community Sunbury Cup on Friday October 9th which will be a chance for the U12 sides from local Spelthorne Schools to showcase their skills at London Irish HQ in Sunbury!

Tuesday 15th September

This was my first visit to Sunbury Manor School where I worked with the Year 8 (U13s) team. and ran a handling skills session. They have a game coming up at Richmond RFC soon so fingers crossed the session will leave them in good stead for the game and help them progress on the rugby pitch as both individuals and as a squad.

Wednesday 16th September

Today I ran a coaching session with Matthew Arnold School with their Year 7 and Year 8 (U12 & U13) students. Their team coach asked me to work with the team to try and improve the passing accuracy and attacking space within their game. To do this we looked at how to wrist pass the ball correctly, then to consider our attacking space within the pitch to ensure we keep the ball for as long as possible.

I also went to Thamesmead School to watch the Yr10s (U15s) play their first ever game in the Daily Mail Cup. The team performed well and ran out as winners 22-12. This was fantastic to see because the previous week I had spent two sessions working with them. The team had clearly taken on board some of the key coaching points and it was excellent to witness them playing with such determination and skill against the opposition. All players should be very proud of themselves! They play Halliford in the next round which will be tough but a good test to see how much they have improved as a squad after the last few sessions.

In the evening I was back at London Irish Amateurs where I worked with the U14A team. We looked specifically at our ground technique and working the ball back on the ground, as well as what arriving players should do at the breakdown to ensure the team wins the ball quickly and how to ensure any threats are eliminated!

Thursday 17th September

Today I was back at Matthew Arnold School, this time looking at their Year 11s (U16s) who were due to play their first game the day after. The aim of the session was to go through the technical aspects of a lineout. This age group is new to lifting in lineouts so we looked at how to do this correctly by working as a unit! The session went well but we still have plenty to work on next time.

In the evening I was back at London Irish Amateurs with the U10/U11s for a special scrummaging MasterClass.

Friday 18th September

My first tag session at Chennestone Primary School went very well with all players understanding the laws and rules of how to play the game. We also looked at running skills. The children were fantastic and I look forward to next week’s session.

I then went to Bishop Wand School where I watched the U16 session, helping out where necessary. It was a varied turn-out, but there were some promising players to work with next week where we’ll be focusing on breakdown skills.

Sunday 20th September

Helped with the U7s session at London Irish Amateurs going through some basic passing skills and lots of fun games! I saw some very good little players and good runners with strong evading skills.

I also had a brief look at the U11s to get an idea of what we can work on when I visit their team soon. I think I might hold a session to improve their ability to attack space between defenders but more on that in the coming weeks!

Over and Out!
Jack