The Coaching Arena

Principles, People, Relationships and Environment. On this episode it was fantastic to chat with Blue Bulls Pathway Coach and World Rugby Educator, Ofentse Moeng.This chat was incredibly eye opening for me and full of coaching advise. There is too much to list below, but these chats have been invaluable to my coaching and Ofentse should write a coaching book. Ofentse's advice on the environment and the concept of team first with the players buying into the idea of something bigger than the individual was brilliant, as was the importance of having fun and not removing that element regardless of level. The insights on peer to peer learning and the importance of character are well worth a listen.The lessons on how, when and the language used to give feedback is awesome for all new coaches.But, what really stood out for me was the idea of coaching principles and living them, not just putting them on a wall. It was really interesting to hear Ofentse's insights on creativity and reducing a player's limitations. As he said, the only limitation should be your imagination. However, something really resonated with me on this chat, which was Ofentse saying how a coach should be player centred, not coach centred.As always, thanks for listening.

On this episode it was awesome to sit down and chat with professional rugby coach Andy Gallacher.Andy worked in academy and national age grade rugby as an Assistant Coach with Scotland u18s and Academy skills coach within the Scottish Rugby Pathway.Andy currently works as a Pathway Coordinator with RugbyWA in Australia.This was a brilliant chat on creating the culture and environment for players to thrive.I am conscious that as a new coach I am not doing a good job, so it was reassuring to hear Andy say that there is no magic formula for what makes a good coach.The concept of creating not just opportunities but also set backs to help players develop as individuals not just as players was enlightening for me.I really found Andy's perspective as to how a coach knows they are on the right track incredibly useful, and without giving the answer away...it isn't resultsI hope you enjoy this as much as I did and thanks for listening

On this episode, I had the huge privilege to be joined by Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo and ex Western Force assistant coach, Will Eggleston.This was a fantastic chat on how a good coach is a good human, and how a coach should have really simple messaging and challenge their players. Will's insights on building confidence and that less is more brings about positive results were incredibly useful to me.His advice on not having to fix everything at once and that you don't move on from a drill unless it has been nailed. As a coach, you don't accept mediocrity simply to box tick a drill to move on with your plan. But Will said one thing that landed with me instantly and I have taken it on immediately to positively impact my coaching. Would you want to be coached by you?

On this episode, it was absolutely brilliant to chat with Aldo Birchall.Aldo is a former professional rugby player and is now defence and breakdown coach for Italian URC club Zebre. This was a great chat with advice and insights on leaving your mark on a player and knowing when and how to have difficult conversations with your players.Aldo's points on bringing energy and having positive body language as a coach really stood out to me, and how a player's attitude over talent usually prevails. But it was Aldo's approach to coaching in having clarity in your messages and that less is more, along with creating moments and your principles as a coach which really landed with me. As Aldo said, as a coach, 'having your north star' to lean into.I really hope you enjoyed this chat as much as I did, and thanks very much for listening

On this episode, I was blown away to be able to speak with an All Black both as a player and coach, Greg Feek.Greg's insights were incredbile, as you can expect from an All Black, this chat was jam packed of lessons and insights. Greg covered so much, but what stood out for me is that good coaching is not all about trophies. Winning and winning regularly does not happen by accident and that there is a lot of work behind the scenes. Relationships are the foundation, not just with the players but with everyone associated with the team.A coach should know their players, as Greg puts it, know them before you can coach them and build the connection.A great coach should look for the buy in and find your own identity. Making players feel valued is number one and needs to be done early.A Greg said, a good coach is never in a hurry and makes the players feel relaxed with a chance to learn. The concept of tell, show and discuss really stood out for me.Lastly as a coach, are you present, flexible and are you enjoying it, because if you are not, how can you expect your players to?I really hope you enjoyed this chat as much as I did, thanks for listening.

On this episode it was fantastic to sit down and chat with professional football coach, Ash Thompson.You could sense the approach Ash has to his coaching with clarity, purpose and culture ringing very loud.Ash explained that yes, there is planning and topics to be addressed, but at the heart of it is a human being, and that person is at the centre of it all.It was evident that Ash believes that a coach has to know their message and create a culture where players can ask questions, but there are times where collaboration is needed and times where a coach takes the lead.Ash explained the importance of communication and the process is two way but a space has to be created which allows conversations and discussion. With this in mind, it was very interesting to hear how Ash has those difficult conversations that are sometimes necessary in elite sport.The concept of not coaching the game, but coaching the individual to solve the problems that the game brings to them really resonated with me. As too having self regulating players making decisions live on the pitch. Also of interest was the use of data and stats. Everything is measurable, but not everything has to be measured, so it was great to hear Ash's view of data vs intuition. It was also incredibly useful to hear Ash explain how to and the importance of communication, with the benefits of coaches self reflecting how they give their message. It was great to hear Ash explain why a coach knows their players and their context.I hope you found this chat with Ash as helpful as I did.

On this episode, I had the privilege to chat with professional rugby coach, Tomaso Parrini.This chat was incredibly enlightening, as we discussed the responsibility but sheer privilege of coaching. Tomaso has coached across many countries and his reflections that as coaches, we are landmarks and allow players to make their own path with a coach acting as a guide really resonated with me. Tomaso's insights on culture and making players better people were fantastic. Coaches are not necessarily there to give all the answers, and as Tomaso put it so well, giving solutions to the players is the sedative to creativity. We also spoke about creating the right environment which instils players with courage, creating hunger, establishing standards but also as a coach, how you create your own path.Let me know what you think

On this episode, it was incredible to chat with professional rugby coach, Coenie Basson.Coenie is a former professional player who transitioned into coaching, coaching in the French Top14 and Pro D2 leagues.This was an incredibly insightful chat on understanding the human element to coaching and understanding players as people first, then athletes.Coenie also explained the importance of culture and I loved the quote that Culture Wins Championships.I really hope you enjoyed this chat as much as I did, so much of what Coenie spoke about really resonated with me.As he said, players don't care about what you know, they care if you care. Relationships are the foundations of coaching