Rugby Canada, in partnership with Rugby Ontario and with support from the Coaching Association of Canada held a very successful NCCP Women in Coaching event in early August at Appleby College, Ontario. Appleby, the site of the current Senior Women’s Nations Cup event was the ideal setting to allow the participants to not only learn the art of coaching, but to also integrate with Rugby Canada’s national women’s team coaching staff and players.  Rugby Canada has identified that the athlete’s success is under-pinned by knowledgeable, experienced and educated coaches. This unique event provided coaches at key stages 3-5 of Rugby Canada’s Long Term Athlete Development model valuable education and skills to produce better players and ultimately a better game on the field.

Women from across the province of Ontario:  Toronto, Barrie, Oakville, Hamilton, Stoney Creek and Mississauga attended the NCCP Introduction to Competition Course for Women in Coaching.  All of the women had different objectives for attending the course but soon it became apparent that all were very motivated to develop rugby.  Some attended to learn more about the game; others were beginning their coaching careers at the high school and junior club level, while some were preparing to coach provincial and senior women’s teams. 

Each of the course participants were guided through a number of theory and practical sessions on the art of competency based coaching.

Photo: Course participants with NSWT at Appleby College.

Dustin Hopkins (MLF) Rugby Canada, Shaun Allen (LF) Rugby Ontario and Beth Barz (MLF) and, Rugby Canada U20 assistant coach, all facilitated the weekend’s events. Two course participants also furthered their credentials by training to be new Learning Facilitators. Both Cam Newton and Mel Beldock will be welcome additions to facilitate both the Community Initiation course and the Introduction to Competition course going forward in Ontario.

Course participant Julie Engelhardt, coach of the women’s team in Ajax and former U20 National team player said, “The course allowed us to look at the holistic approach to coaching instead of just the same old way of coaching and I am very grateful for this opportunity to train as a coach in this unique all female coaching environment.”

Rugby Canada would again like to thank the Coaching Association of Canada’s (CAC) Women in Coaching program for their ongoing support