Coaching: ‘Knowledge’ and ‘How it is Imparted’ are two different ball games
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Let us check if we have not sinned, before we throw stones on others - during the second leg of Asian 7s Series a Sri Lankan fan was fired up about Hong Kong fielding 'foreigners' against Sri Lanka. The truth is they are eligible by the World Rugby regulations, unlike what Sri Lanka did some years ago with some Fijians, who were speculated 'legit' - File pic
Taking a peek at ‘Good Sports’ Guide for Coaches 2018, of New Zealand, gives more than an insight into their expectation from coaches. This project is about creating a quality sporting experience for children, to ultimately, help children grow a lifelong love for sport.
This is to introduce an adult who has a love for sport. Listening to commentaries during the Hong Kong (HK) vs Sri Lanka (SL) game in Korea, the commentator was critical of a live post, possibly, of`a local fan, that queried the eligibility of HK Players.
The commentator went on to say that the players were HK Passport Holders. The rebuke on air is a pointer for a need to grow with a lifelong love for Sport. This comment was while SL missed a step, a number of times, during the 2nd Leg of the Asian Rugby 7s played in Korea, and slipped to 6th place from 3rd in the 1st Leg played in HK.
That is why the ‘Good Sports Guide’ to me is a good piece to read. Not that we need to ape the Kiwis or, for that matter, ape Western thinking. What we need is to use some aspects of the Guide to take our Sport forward, and not start to invent the wheel. But it is about the holistic need for the child in Sport. It is about a good spine of sport and, in our focus, it is about the spine for Rugby. It is about the inspiration, the connection, the empowerment, children being allowed to play games and the variety they experience.
Having said that, what is important for the development of Rugby is the understanding of why people coach, especially in Junior Rugby. One comment that stood out is that, people coach because there is money in it. There are others who think that, some imagine this will keep some retirees involved by giving them a source of income. Sometimes, the aged and matured will be more valuable in Junior Rugby. But they need to follow a system which includes the philosophy of coaching.
Neither of the above seems to be a convincing reason to coach the young. What is important is to coach for the right reason. When it is about the money in it, there is a lot of sideline coaching, as well as bickering. This is not only in Rugby, but also in cricket and other sports. Listening to a coach shouting instruction from the boundary line will give an idea of what is happening. Children learn by observing seniors and, if the coach and other officials keep shouting and complaining, that is what they would learn. Ideally, coaches should always display a positive, encouraging demeanor, and be selective with interventions. What is important is the progress brought about through positive learning behaviours. This encourages a growth mindset.
It is not the skills, but the attitude that helps the game’s society through Sport. In Korea, did the SL team have the attitude, despite having the skills? When they ran, they did really run and excite the crowd. That alone was not enough to sustain them to sit in 3rd place, which they are used to sit on.
Getting back to the subject of coaching, one finds a mismatch of the numbers of players and coaches. The number of players on the World Rugby site cannot be related to the number of registered coaches, which probably means there may be a number of them coaching without being exposed to a formal system and/or methodology.
Is the issue of coaches not being accredited a cause for a lack of attitude and/or game winning ability at international level. There is always a need for a method and a reason for madness. Madness here is the love of Rugby.
The behaviour matters in coaching, in the life of a child. That is inculcated through daily action. The attitudes and behaviors of adults in children’s sports tend to cluster into two patterns of a Climate of Development and a Climate of Performance. This talk about the environment that surrounds a child and that is wha`t contributes to the national game. There is a programme by SLR to accredit coaches, while the Schools section is attempting to insist on the presence of Certified coaches. This will obviously improve the game overall, and those in administration of Schools Rugby and the old boys involved too, need to follow a programme, so that, they know what it is about. At least to know what to look for in selecting coaches.
Vimal Perera is a former Rugby Referee, Coach and an Accredited Referees’ Evaluator IRB