Hail the rugby ready programme
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The Sri Lanka Youth Under 19 rugby team recording a convincing 37 points to 15 win over the Singapore Youth Under 19 side in the Junior Asiad Division Two rugby encounter played on Wednesday. Yesterday they met Chinese Taipei in the decider to determine he top team in this league. To coincide with this tournament A “Super Rugby Week” was organized by the SLRFU and was conducted by the IRB/ Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU ).
There was a lot of interest in gaining knowledge and big numbers that attended the rugby ready course and from all parts of the country. The numbers were over 150 whereas to get the maximum it should have been less than half. When these courses have not been held before the demand becomes high and the requirement would be for those who have been accredited as educators in Sri Lanka to now work with smaller groups.
The awareness that has been created will increase the thirst for education. The many questions asked suggested that while the game is being developed at different age groups in different parts the participants were clearing some aspects of which they have been in the dark. Most people following the rugby ready were from outstations with some known rugby personalities engaged in coaching following the course.
The pool members of the women’s rugby team were also in attendance for this course which was for about two/three hours. I failed to understand why they were pulled out to engage themselves in a pep talk and to practice a few passing sessions. A number of these girls who are from a rural background and could spread a message of rugby ready more effectively and could have been accommodated if the big picture could have been seen. On the other hand I could not see how a few passing movements without the coach could have done for the betterment and welfare of the players.
The ground was in use for a rugby ready programme and there was no width or depth available to execute a pass that would have been more appropriate for practicing for a sevens tournament. One arm of the SLRFU is keen to develop while another seemed not to understand the effects when you come and leave. What message are we giving the others?
Together with this course was a course in strength and conditioning which again was attended by almost double the intended intake of forty to be more effective. The interest in this aspect has been gaining with almost all rugby playing institutions looking for strength and conditioning experts to work with coaching staff. It was interesting to see the fitness screening test practical showing the compensation for a problem in almost all who did the practical test. I was speaking to a former rugby player of repute who is coaching junior rugby who had a huge compensation with the torso bending forward. He mentioned that up to that date nobody had told him that he has a problem. We have heard of stories of many schools players being injured and unable to play at the end of the season. The result could be because injuries have not been detected and they continued or were forced to play.
The other programmes that were conducted during the week included coaching and match official certification as well as an educator’s programme. It is good to see these programmes being followed by many of the reputed coaches as well as those from the outstations. With a system in place the SLRFU has to be able to make a move to see a system where all coaches and or match officials should work to get accredited. That will help the game as at present there could be anybody who can coach with little adherence to a structure. What was interesting is the contrasting views that were evident with known names taking part to get more knowledge which otherwise is obtained by spending more to attend a course elsewhere. Yet at times it was disappointing to hear some of the others who would make comments as though they knew all while not thinking that there is something to be learnt.
The game has to move forward and it needs people to work in the framework so that more can be achieved. Speaking to some of the interested parties in schools who are on the look for a coach asked them what would be the core competencies they would look for in a senior coach and junior coach. When I discussed the core areas and the attendant criteria components the question asked was as to how many will be able to do this.
Most thought that Sri Lankan coaches would not be able to adopt the model to their skills; virtually justifying the need for a foreign coach which was supported by evidence as they pointed to the schools clubs and the national team. A message to those pundits of the game who think they know all whereas the bouquet should be to the coaches who are well experienced but followed the level two courses. The numbers were around twenty in all and this included outstations coaches who are handling the foundation. The SLRFU deserves a pat on the back for arranging this course which otherwise very few would have been able to afford as they would have had to go abroad.
Vimal Perera is a former Rugby Referee, coach and Accredited Referees Evaluator IRB
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