Children’s Coaching Course
Irish Rugby’s Children Coaching Course is for coaches of mini rugby players aged 5-12.
Players are introduced to the game of rugby for the first time through participation in games with reduced numbers 8, 10, 12-a-side.
The goal is to develop players’ all-round skills and game-understanding with an emphasis on Fundamental Movement Skills delivered through technical, tactical & physical course modules.
There is an emphasis on enjoyment and player development using best practice, the coach acting as a guide in a player-centred process.
The course is designed to develop the coach in this ‘guide’ role.
Entry Criteria:
- Participants must be a minimum of 16 years of age
- Please note coaches aged 16-18 years are limited to performing in an Assistant Coach role, under the direct supervision and guidance of an accredited Children’s Rugby coach aged 18+
- Priority where required will be given to participants actively involved in coaching mini rugby players
Participant Numbers Per Course:
40 maximum/15 minimum
Accreditation Criteria:
- Course Requirements – all attendees must ensure the following certificates are completed and uploaded to GAINLINE, the IRFU’s online education platform
- What is Mini Rugby
- Mini rugby Refereeing and Laws
- World Rugby Concussion Awareness
- Details of GAINLINE and online modules will be available to anyone who registers for the course
- Full course attendance is mandatory
- Coaches must demonstrate practical (on course) knowledge of safety awareness in skills involving contact
- Coaches must demonstrate knowledge of the “Child Welfare Document” and will be required to sign-off on the document
The IRFU reserves the right to modify, replace or add to accreditation requirements in accordance with updates to Coach Development Programmes.
Re-Validation:
- The IRFU Coaching Accreditation Re-Validation programme is currently under development and due for launch in season 2020/21
- It is envisaged that IRFU coaching accreditations will be re-validated on a 3 yearly basis provided coaches have fulfilled specific ‘Continuing Professional Development’ (CPD) requirements during that 3 year period from when they received their IRFU coaching accreditation
- Such CPD requirements will vary by coaching level, and opportunities to build on existing IRFU coaching accreditations will be provided by way of provincial workshops, seminars and conferences as well as online resources aimed at promoting coach development in a more self-directed manner
