Training and Education
Training and Education
FRU Development officers Alifereti Mocelutu and Joeli Tubu travelled last week to conduct a Level 1 7s course at Burewai District School in Ra. Located in a remote area some 45-50 km from Korovou town along the coastline road, two courses, Level 1 7s coach and Level 1 Match Officiating was conducted.
Alifereti Mocelutu and Joeli Tubu travelled last week to conduct a Level 1
The course covered 3 modules on;
- Game Knowledge on the principles of Sevens Rugby
The principles are used to analyse a teams’ play identifying strengths and weaknesses as well as providing a standard procedure for developing the team profile, game profile, patterns of play and game plan.
- Deliver practices
Peer assess a colleagues delivery of a pre designed sevens coaching practice on a competency base.
Areas of assessing is planning, delivery and Game knowledge.
- Planning Practices
How coaches plan their coaching session on areas of concern and session aim.
Areas of concern are the teams’ needs and should be in order of priority. The needs can reduce weaknesses or enhance strength.
The session aim is what is what will achieved by the conclusion of the session.
Part of the modules are for the attendants to watch it on screen then do their analysis but here the development officers improvised by using Get Into Rugby (GIR) programme for the coaches to do and analysed passing skills. It was the first time for this method to be used and it was very successful.
Some of the passing key factors the coaches had to teach their players are:-
- Hold the ball in two hands
- Commit a defender
- Prop on their inside leg
- Turn side on the defence to face the supporting receiver
- Identify the ‘target’ area – chest height in front of the receiver
- Keeping the ball up between waist and chest area move the ball quickly across their body by swinging their arms
- Use their chest, shoulders, elbows and wrists to control the speed and flight of the ball as it is released
- Follow through with their hands in the direction of the pass with their fingers pointing to the target after release.
- Support the receiver once the pass has been completed.
The participants taught the passing and receiving skills to the kids doing GIR and then do their analysis afterwards.
Mocelutu confirmed the new method of educating coaches worked well for those in rural areas as they better understand the lessons.
“We had to make sure they understand what we doing and most importantly when they back to their teams they will be able to relay the same thing they were taught.”
They later did a session on front-on tackle and side-on tackle.
It is important that coaches are able to deliver an
- explanation/Instruction
- Demonstration
- Observe/Analyse
- Feedback from players or checking for understand.
The same was done with the match officiating course where the partakers did practical sessions with the kids.
Level 1 7s Coaching course participants
Taito Latabua, Aisake Taqiri, Kalivereti Orei, Sevanaia Ravana, Rev Inoke Waqanisau, Aisake Tagicaki
Level 1 7s Match Officiating
Manasa Vunisa, Ioane Maciu, Semi Bukarau, Kalivati Dokoni, Kalivereti Orei, Aminisitai Ciriduadua.
Number of coaching courses conducted (January to April 2015)
Level 1 7s – 6
Level 1 15s – 2
Level 2 15s – 2
Level 2 15s Assessment – 5 provincial coaches (competent), 3 coaches (NYC)
Level 3 15s – 1 Assessment (Tongan Technical Coach)
Get Into Rugby – 27 schools
Number of Match Officiating courses conducted (January to April 2015)
Level 1 7s – 4 (West)
Level 1 15s – 3 (North)
Level 1 7s – 2 (Tailevu)
Participation
Rugby continues to grow on the road to the 2016 Olympics in Rio for both male and females in here in Fiji. This is proven in the number of new participants for the Get Into Rugby programme recorded from January this year to date, a total of 2,699 (1,460 male, 1,239 female).
FRU ran a GIR programme in Burebasaga in Rewa and Burewai in Ra. Interesting to note are the number of young girls that are trying for out rugby through GIR. The practical sessions include try and play which was well received by teachers, parents and students.
Women’s Rugby
While we have two new level one (1) female match officials and one level 1 coach, the numbers of players taking part in the sport is increasing tremendously.
The inclusion of the U18 girls’ team in the Youth Commonwealth games in September saw an increase of numbers of girls turning out to the rugby skills clinic organized by the development unit. This Wednesday, Thursday and Friday the Development Unit will conduct another three day clinic before they head down to the West to conduct either one or two. They have been liaising with Jasper and Tavua College for potentials players to be included in the squad.
Skills Training Focus area for the U18 School Girls program.
- Passing & Receiving ( Linear/Lateral)
- Ball Handling or Carrying the ball in two hands
- Ball Placement & Picking Up the ball on the ground – to safely secure the ball assess and initiate best available option.
- Introducing contact with the Ball
- Introducing basic tackling – stop forward momentum of the ball carrier and try to regain possession of the ball.
- Introducing rucking /gates/ clearing out
- Continuity of the Game
Joeli Tubu will also have a session with the girls on the rugby laws that includes the priorities in the game areas:-
- The fundamentals
- The breakdown tackle/ruck/maul
- Positive set pieces
- Game to operate during space
- Management and Communication
The challenge now is to grow the game at all levels and investing more in 7s and school rugby. That comes with the responsibility for all coaches to be accredited.
The U19 and U17 school girls 7s series competition kicks off in the second term where a lot of work needs to be done not only for the players but also the coaches and match officials.
Meanwhile, the five Women’s Clubs in Suva will start their 15s season this month.