Coaching children's rugby

Aaron from Co-op Insurance spends some of his free time coaching his son’s rugby team. He’s told us how and why he got into it for others keen to do the same.

Why I got involved

Community rugby clubs or any community sports club are wonderful places to be. They are generally run by a group of like-minded people with a shared passion on a voluntary basis. They provide a warm welcome to both new and familiar faces.

Nostalgia

It reminds me of the days when I was still playing, sharing the field with my friends and teammates. Whether it was a cup final or a tough game against a rival, you never forget the feeling of when the final whistle goes, especially if you’ve won and are celebrating with each other.

You’re muddy, bruised and tired, but there’s nowhere else you'd rather be in the world. I may no longer be on the pitch, but I feel privileged to be able to give my kids and their teammates skills and memories that will last a lifetime.

How I got involved

As soon as my son showed an interest in playing rugby, I went onto England Rugby’s Find a Club tool to see which teams were in our area. As soon as my son was old enough to attend (they can generally start from reception age), we turned up one Sunday morning so he could join in.

I’d always had it in my mind that I wanted to take on a coaching role, so I jumped at the chance when they asked for volunteers to help with the session. From there, I continued to help each week to the point where I started running some sessions myself. I've since taken charge of the team on a permanent basis.

Further ideas

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has a wealth of information, guides and courses on their website ranging from general gameplay and rules to tackle technique. This makes coaching accessible to everyone regardless of their rugby experience.

Generally, clubs will have development funds available and thanks to this, I am currently working towards my Level 1 coaching badge.

Insurance

If you're looking to become a rugby coach, then you may need to take out business insurance to cover things like personal accidents.

To learn more about how we can help, visit our business insurance page.