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Middlesex Coaching Workshop

Aviva Premiership coach Toby Booth explains how to prepare a team for the Rugby World Cup

When:  Monday 21st October

Time:  19.00 – 21.00 hrs

Where: London Irish
Hazelwood Drive
Sunbury, Middx TW16 6QU

This indoor workshop will be relevant to all Level 2 & Level 3 coaches, and will also be beneficial for those working beyond those levels.

Toby Booth is an English rugby union coach, most recently a first-team coach at Bath Rugby in the Aviva Premiership.
He started out as a qualified electrician before attending St. Mary’s University College, Strawberry Hill (1994–97), where he studied Sports Science. He later worked as a lecturer there whilst completing his MSc.

Toby joined London Irish in 2002 as assistant academy manager helping to recruit the first players for the academy – many of whom have graduated to the Exiles’ & Bath’s first teams. He was appointed head coach at Irish in 2008 and reached the final of the Guinness Premiership in his first season in charge.

In May 2012 Booth joined Bath to work under new head coach Gary Gold and coached the 1st team to a Premiership final in 2015. He has also developed a large number of current international players who are participating in the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

To attend the course, or for further information, please contact the Middlesex Coaching Association Secretary:  camilla.hulf@gmail.com

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Team Middlesex seeks age grade coaches

Team Middlesex is looking to recruit age grade coaches for the representative arm of Middlesex Rugby, comprising youth teams from U14 to U18 and girls teams at U15 and U18.

REPORTS TO: Chair of Playing & Player Development Team Middlesex. 

KEY RELATIONSHIPS: CB Coaches & Medical Support. 

NATURE & SCOPE OF JOB: The post-holders will be responsible for planning & coaching a County squad whilst providing a positive and aspirational playing environment. 

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Ensure the CB’s objectives are achieved by creating an aspirational & supportive playing environment. 

• Ensure players receive the highest quality coaching & feedback. 

• Work in conjunction with the Team Manager to select the best players from Middlesex schools & clubs. 

• Evaluate all coaching sessions and games with the CB squad delivery team. 

• Attend delivery team meetings. 

• Participate in an annual review of performance and commit to a programme of personal development 

• Ensure the coaching and playing squad present themselves as ambassadors for Middlesex Rugby and act within the Core Values of the sport. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND QUALITIES:

• Hold a minimum of an RFU / UKCC Level 2 Coaching Qualification or its recognised equivalent. 

• Demonstrate a track record of personal coach development. 

• Articulates and delivers a clear playing and coaching philosophy that is in accordance with the objectives of the programme. 

• A Player Centred approach to coaching. 

• Create an environment balancing player development with team performance. 

• Sets high standards of accountability, reliability and personal responsibility. 

• A commitment to attend all fixtures and training sessions. 

BENEFITS INCLUDE: 

• Access to the Team Middlesex Coach Education Programme, RFU CDP’s & online coaching resources. 

• Appropriate travel expenses. 

• Team Middlesex apparel. 

• Individual mentoring programme. 

Please submit a brief curriculum vitae and covering letter to Bob Lawless at coaching@middlesexrugby.com

2019 Coaching Awards

Hardworking coaches and referees throughout Middlesex received awards for their efforts at the The Middlesex Coaching Association presentations which took place at London Welsh RFC on Friday 26th April 2019.

Awards were presented by former England coach Rory Teague, in-coming Middlesex Chairman Eddie Keal and RFU Women & Girls Councillor Louise Latter to coaches from across the county for their outstanding contributions in all sectors of the game.

Two special recognition awards were also made, one to Marc Fusil (above left) for his outstanding refereeing at the young age of 16 and obvious potential to join the elite refereeing panel, and the other to Luke Green (above right) – a young player who earned six caps for the England U18s, having come through each of the Team Middlesex representative age grade sides.

Prior to the presentations, Rory Teague presented his expert take on how different cultures and leadership will have a major effect on how various nations will fare in their quest for the World Cup in Japan 2019. Factors including environment, refereeing, squad preparation, captaincy, coaching and leadership all play a major part, as well as how people from different walks of life see the challenges building up to the competition phase of the World Cup Pools to the final. An interactive session led to a fascinating debate amongst the coaches in attendance.

A record of 58 nominations were submitted and the final selection was agreed by the Middlesex Coaching Association committee. The standard of all the nominations was excellent, and those not selected received an RFU Volunteer certificate signed by RFU President Chris Kelly. During the break between Rory’s session and the presentations, hosts London Welsh put on an excellent buffet and refreshments.

All the photos from the Awards Evening are on

Register now for access to
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Designed for those coaching minis, youth and senior players, administrators and referees, the video content includes games, individual and team skills, sevens coaching, kicking and fitness & conditioning. Coaching sessions are led by experienced RFU and Academy coaches and a weekly update is sent covering numerous aspects of rugby coaching.

• Watch over 2500 drills, tips, ideas and games.
• Ready-to-use session plans to try with your team.
• Create a club/school account for easy sharing.
• Learn position specific skills from the pros!
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To get FREE access to this invaluable online coaching resource, simply complete the online registration form.You do not need to be a member of the Middlesex Coaching Association to take advantage of this offer.

2018-2019 Coach Mentoring Programme

Applications are now invited to join this season’s Coach Mentoring Programme, run in partnership with Coach & Mentoring Solutions and led by Bob Lawless & Tony Robinson.

The programme is suitable for candidates who are ready to apply for the RFU Level III course in 2018 as well as those who feel they have the potential to apply in 2019 but need a little longer on this journey.