Academy Coaches go back to school

Its going to be a busy 2017/18 season for three of our Academy coaches as they look to improve their coaching skills and practice by studying for the next stages of their development.

Academy skills coaches Tom Gamage and Rhys Crane will begin their UK Coaching Certificate (UKCC) Level 3 in Coaching Rugby Union award in July. The year long course is designed to develop head coaches, focusing on player and peer development.

Coaches

Academy Director John Lacey will also be looking to improve his ability, already a Level 3 coach he will begin 18 month long UKCC Level 4 in Coaching Rugby Union in September, the course looks to develop coaches working in Talent Development, Performance and Elite rugby programmes.

On announcing the news John Lacey said “This is a really exciting time for the coaching team and for the Academy as a whole. We ask that our players look to continually improve their skills, knowledge and understanding, it’s only right that we as coaches match that.

Tom is a professional coach within the Saracens Community department and Rhys is still playing at Elite level so we are really well placed to give our players the very best input to their development. As a group of coaches, we already place a high importance on formal and informal continuous professional development, to have 2 of our younger coaches with such a desire to improve is excellent.

We set out to be recognised as a centre of excellence in young player development, and we have built a great team of dedicated coaches and managers over the past 3 years with professionals and volunteers as well as current Pro Squad players involved. Their hard work and dedication has allowed us to deliver over 2000 hours of coaching across our Community Schools, Emerging Players, U18 and Senior Academy programmes. To have such a strong group, all with a player centred focus, can only help us on our way.”