IRFU Integrated Pathway: Coach-Player-Team
The Model below summarises the relationships between relevant teams, player stages of
development and the national Coach Development Pathway.
The Model is a player-centred model based on the capacities of players at various stages which is
aligned to appropriate Coaching Courses for Coaches to attend.
The IRFU requires that all coaches are accredited at the appropriate level and continue to develop
themeselves throughout their coaching participation.
IRFU
Integrated
Pathway
Stephen Aboud – IRFU
IRFU Coach Development Dept. National Coach Development Manager
Details of all current IRFU Coaching Courses are outlined in the following sections.
IRFU National Coaching Development Pathway
Course Details
Mini Rugby Course (Stage 1 LTPD)
This two-day course is specifcally designed for coaches of Mini rugby (6yrs-12yrs) where players
are being introduced to rugby for the first time and participating in games of reduced numbers (8’s,
10’s and 12-a-side). The focus is on safety & enjoyment with the coach acting as ‘guide’ in a
player-centred process.
Developing players’ all-round skills and game-understanding with an emphasis on Physical
Literacy appropriate to the stages of development of each individual are the key technical, tactical
& physical module objectives.
The course develops the coach as ‘Guide’.
Entry criteria:
There is no entry requirement; however, priority (where applicable) will be given to participants
who were actively involved in coaching Mini Rugby.
Accreditation (Immediately):
Full course attendance
Practical demonstration (within course) of safety awareness in skills requiring contact
Sign-off and awareness of the "Code of Ethics" document
Participants must be 18yrs of age
Re-accreditation:
Attend update clinic (4 years)
Liable to adjustment as required
Numbers per course:
40 maximum/15 minimum
Foundation Course (Stage 2 LTPD)
The Foundation Course is an introduction to the 15 a side game for coaches and helpers with
limited experience in rugby. Safety and enjoyment are in the main themes of the course, and
therefore the course is suited for people working with pre-teenage and adolescent players.
The course develops the coach as ‘Teacher’.
Entry criteria:
There is no entry requirement; however, priority (where applicable) will be given to participants
who were actively involved in coaching.
Accreditation (Immediately):
Full course attendance
Practical demonstration (within course) of safety awareness in skills requiring contact
Continued,
Sign-off and awareness of the "Code of Ethics" document
Participants must be 18yrs of age
Re-accreditation:
Attend update clinic (4 years)
Liable to adjustment as required
Numbers per course:
35 maximum/15 minimum
Level 1 Course: (Stage 3 LTPD)
The Level 1 course is for coaches working with 15 a side teams. The course deals with the
Principles of Play by developing them through the use of Key Factor Analysis, applied to the
Individual skills, mini-unit skills, unit and team skills. At the end of the course the coach is
expected to identify and rectify technical deficiencies together with the ability of planning,
organising, managing, communicating and developing the skills of his/her players through the
implementation of sport specific and generic modules.
The course develops the coach as ‘Challenger’.
Entry criteria:
Participants must have proven rugby playing/coaching experience
Actively coaching a 15 a side team (Stage 3 LTPD)
Above 18 years of age
Accreditation (1 Season):
Full course attendance (including two link courses)
Laws test (paper)
Log 40 hours coaching (diary) at appropriate level
1 practical coaching assessment
Participants must be 18yrs of age
Re-accreditation:
Actively Coaching for 4 years at appropriate level (Stage 3 LTPD) and update clinic (4 years).
Liable to adjustment as required
Numbers per course:
35 maximum/12 minimum
Level 1 Assistant Coaches Course: (Stage 3 LTPD)
The Level 1 course is for Assistant (backs & forwards) coaches working with 15 a side teams. The
course deals with the Units relating to backs & forwards developing them through the use of Key
Factor Analysis. At the end of the course the coach is expected to identify and rectify technical
deficiencies within their relevant areas, together with the ability of planning, organising,
managing, communicating and developing the skills of his/her players through the implementation
of sport specific and generic modules.
The course develops the Assistant coach as ‘Challenger’.
Entry criteria:
Participants must have proven rugby playing/coaching experience
Actively assisting in coaching a 15 a side team (Stage 3 LTPD).
Above 18 years of age
Accreditation (1 Season):
Laws test 85% pass
Full course attendance (2 days)
Sign code of ethics
Log 40 hrs of coaching - diary (Stage 3 LTPD)
Practical observation – (area of assistance - Stage 3 LTPD)
Participants must be 18yrs of age
Re-accreditation:
Actively Coaching for 4 years at appropriate level (Stage 3 LTPD) and update clinic (4 years).
Liable to adjustment as required
Numbers per course:
35 maximum/12 minimum
Level 2 Course: (Stage 4 LTPD)
The Level 2 course is for Head Coaches working with advanced 15 side teams, with higher
technical competencies and understanding of the game. The course develops the Principles of Play
through Functional Role Analysis of the Identities of rugby.
At the end of the course the coach is expected to develop individual players' abilities to undertake
and adjust their specific roles in a changing environment within each of the identities of rugby.
Sport specific and generic modules are examined at a more advanced level, together with the
introduction of modules which develop the coaches' ability to understand interpersonal
relationships, team dynamics in conjunction with increasing the players' tactical appreciation.
The course develops the coach as ‘Facilitator’.
Entry criteria:
Head Coach position (actively coaching at an appropriate level – Stage 4)
Accredited level one coach
OR/AND
Assimilated - Proven senior/professional rugby playing or coaching experience
*Priority will be given to head coaches working at the higher levels
Accreditation (1 to 2 Seasons):
Full course attendance (2 weekends)
Laws test (paper) – if not already completed
Log 60 hours coaching (diary)
Produce a season's plan (technical, tactical, physiological and mental aspects)
2 practical coaching assessments
Develop Mid-Season feedback questionnaire & observation report
Re-accreditation:
Actively Coaching for 4 years at appropriate level (Stage 4) and update clinic (4 years).
Liable to adjustment as required
Level 2 Assistant Coaches Course: (Stage 4 LTPD)
The Level 2 course is for Assistant Coaches (backs & forwards) working with advanced 15 side
teams, with higher technical competencies and understanding of the game. The course develops
the Identities of Rugby through Functional Role Analysis .
At the end of the course the coach is expected to develop individual players' abilities to undertake
and adjust their specific roles in a changing environment within each of the identities of rugby.
Sport specific and generic modules are examined at a more advanced level, together with the
introduction of modules which develop the coaches' ability to understand Learning styles in
conjunction with increasing the players' tactical appreciation.
The course develops the Assistant coach as ‘Facilitator’.
Entry criteria:
Assistant Coach position (actively coaching at an appropriate level – Stage 4)
Accredited level one coach or assistant coach
OR/AND
Assimilated - Proven senior/professional rugby playing or coaching experience
*Priority will be given to head coaches working at the higher levels
Accreditation (1 Season):
Full course attendance
Sign code of ethics
Log 60 hrs of coaching - diary (Stage 4 LTPD)
Practical observation (area of assistance – Stage 4 LTPD)
Produce written Unit Profile
Strengths & weakness' profile of identities of rugby relating to player profiles
(backs/forwards)
Re-accreditation:
Actively Coaching for 4 years at appropriate level (Stage 4) and update clinic (4 years).
Liable to adjustment as required
Level 3 Coaching Course: (Stage 5 LTPD)
The level 3 course is for Head Coaches working with advanced adult and representative teams.
The course develops the coach as ‘Leader’.
At the end of the course the coach should be able to demonstrate a competency in planning,
alignment of plans empowerment underpinned by a greater self-awareness of personality and
leadership style.
The four sub-sections are:
Planning:
Operational plans, periodised (fitness & conditioning) seasonal plans, game planning based on
team profile and planning for specific opposition and long-term development.
Alignment of Plans:
Coaching skills, presentation skills, media skills, time management, match management, match
analysis, sports psychology (profiling & mental skills), conflict resolution and selected rugby
specific modules.
Empowerment:
Leadership and high performance coaching.
Character:
Develop greater self-awareness, intrapersonal and interpersonal skills through Personality
profiling.
Entry Criteria:
By invitation (5 minimum & 12 maximum participants).
Currently Branches are invited to nominate candidates to the IRFU who they believe will play a
significant role in coaching their representative teams and who satisfy the following:
Accredited level 2 coach
Head coaching position - at the appropriate level (Stage 5)
Signed the Letter of Intent* (following interview)
*Priority will be given to head coaches working at the higher levels
Accreditation (minimum 2 Seasons):
The requirements are outlined in the Letter of Intent**. Basically, full course attendance, the
implementation of the High Performance Coach Monitoring programme together with the
submission of various self-assessments and written assignments.
Continued:
Re-Accreditation:
The accreditation is for 4 years (applied coaching), attendance at a refresher course will be
required for re-accreditation.
Liable to adjustment as required
………..
Note*
NATIONAL COACHING PROGRAMME
Entry Criteria - Hierarchy list Level 2 & Level 3 Courses
Since places are restriced on each course to ensure quality deliveries and workshops, a guideline
for head coaches applying for Level 2 & Level 3 courses is outlined below:
Level 2 Head Coaches Coaching Course (Stage 4 LTPD):
1. Senior Club XV (division 1, 2, 3)
2. Representative U20’s & 19’s
3. Qualifying League Senior XV
4. U20 Club XV (division 1, 2, 3)
5. Representative Under 18’s
6. School & Club U18’s
Level 3 Head Coaches Coaching Course (Stage 5 LTPD)
1. Senior Representative XV
2. Senior Representative ‘A’ XV
3. Senior Club XV (division 1)
4. Representative U20’s & 19’s
5. Senior Club XV (division 2 & 3)
The above is to ensure that appropriate levels of interaction and exchange take place over the
course duration and that the incident of successful accreditation following the course is high.