Club Coaching Coordinator
We are delighted to announce that with immediate effect Paul Eynon has agreed to take on the role of Club Coaching Coordinator clubcoachingcoordinator@harlowrugby.club. In his new role Paul has joined the Rugby Committee reporting to the Executive Committee.
Paul started playing rugby at secondary school and joined Harlow when he was 14. By his own admission Paul was a terrible rugby player to start with and got better with the coaching he received as he progressed through the age grades representing Essex at u21 level. Paul went on to play senior rugby at the club for the best part of 20 years with highlights being playing at Twickenham in the Middlesex 7s and being 1st XV Captain for a number of years.
In his coaching career Paul started coaching his eldest son Owen in the u7s and has been head coach as Owen has progressed through to the u15s today. Paul has picked up a number of coaching qualifications including the England Coaching Award, and experience along the way. Paul’s youngest son Rhys plays for the under 14s.
In the last year Paul has been leading monthly coaching calls to bring the Harlow Rugby Club coaching together helping develop a Coaching Pledge, a player centric approach, a coaching mentoring scheme which has led to the development of a coaching curriculum for all age grades, male and female. Paul has also been hosting the House of Rams podcast talking to a number of people across the club about their club activities.
In previous years Paul has been a members representative on the club Executive and worked with Dave Sharp working on PR for the club which included the development of the clubs first web site and SMS system.
Paul is a man of many talents and with all his experience and get-go attitude he will be actively involved in the clubs development.
Key aspects of the role
Lead on coach recruitment and development
Identify, recruit and develop coaches ensuring sufficient and appropriate coaching staff are assigned to each team and establish the needs of club coaches signposting them to relevant courses and continuing personal development.
Act as point of contact
Act as a point of contact for the RFU, Constituent Bodies and club coaches, ensuring that all coaches’ details and qualifications are registered and updated on the RFU Game Management System
Implement a coach development plan
Lead the implementation of a suitable club coach development plan for all sections of the club, understand and publicise the RFU coaching courses and local coaching events and encourage the sharing and spread of best practice between coaches at different levels.
This role is considered by the RFU as a golden role to the long term success of rugby clubs.
What is Paul doing now?
In the first few weeks Paul has spent time developing a draft strategy which he recently presented to the Rugby Committee with the objectives of 1) Continuous improvement of coaching across the club, leading to 2) Improved skill set of all players leading to 3) Preparation of players transition to Colts & Seniors (Male & Female)
These plans are supported by Up skilling our Coaches: Touch Tuesday’s with coaching breakouts. Ensuring RFU courses are available. Coaching Support: Expand our coaching curriculum, to include core plays in the older age grades to ease the transition to Colts and Senior Rugby. People: Encourage volunteers to take on non-coaching roles such as team admins, managers and First Aid so coaches are able to focus on coaching. This will include a “Give Coaching a Try day” to be supplemented by team admins, managers and First Aid introductions. Strengthen our coaching community: So we can share ideas and communicate easily. Playing experience: Include playing experience in all age grades/teams, coordinating current senior player input into coaching sessions. A longer team goal is to establish an investment fund for professional coaches in each age grade/team to complement existing structure.
Paul’s immediate priorities
It is essential that we find a volunteer to replace Nicola Wix as Minis Chair. This is a great opportunity for someone to make a huge difference to the playing and club experience for many of our youngest players and their families. Recruitment of coaches and players in key age groups which need to boost their numbers. At the upcoming coaching call on 21st June, Paul will be launching new tools to help coaches deliver top quality experiences for our players. These will include coaching development plans and a simple to use a coaching thought provoking self evaluation.
When asked to take on the role what did Paul say?
“Oh erm, I don’t have time, I’ll have a think, sod it let’s have a crack”. Then more formally “What a great opportunity in exciting times. As we come out of such a difficult period lets go and have some fun. There is a lot to do. We have cracking volunteers and marvellous energetic coaches which we can support, there is so much to do and great times to have ahead. If anyone would like to join us on this journey please get in touch at clubcoachingcoordinator@harlowrugby.club. I have never achieved anything on my own and this will be a team effort. As a great coach once said to me “Together, Everyone, Achieves, More. Teamwork makes the dreamwork!”
We all wish Paul well in his ‘new’ role. Congratulations!
Tux
“Be safe, be smart, be kind!”
Paul Tucker
Harlow RUFC | Chair of Rugby
Latton Park | Howard Way | Harlow | Essex CM20 3FD
t: 01279 429750 | m: 07801 072498
e: rugby@harlowrugby.club | w: www.harlowrugby.club
Teamwork | Respect | Enjoyment | Discipline | Sportsmanship
