World Rugby, Asia Rugby & Singapore Rugby Union jointly hosted the World Rugby Educator course in Singapore over three days from 9th-11th March 2018 at the Singapore Sports Hub facilities.
The course was attended by a total of 13 participants from Singapore, Malaysia & Uzbekistan across three different strands (Medical, Strength & Conditioning and Coaching).
After two gruelling days on the Educator course, the participants then went on to deliver World Rugby Level 1 Courses across three strands on the third day.
An additional boost to those attending the course was the opportunity for everyone to meet Mr. Ben Gollings, the career leader in points scored on the World Rugby Sevens Series Ben has been providing support for SRU 7’s coaches over the past year and was in town as an Ambassador for the 2018 HSBC Singapore 7’s. Ben is also a World Rugby Educator and is very supportive of Training & Education.
With specialist support within each strand, the opportunity for this population to work together and support each other, helped build further respect and understanding of everyone’s roles and responsibilities within the rugby network.
Many thanks to Singapore Rugby & Sport SG for hosting this.
Outcomes:
4 World Rugby Trainers Quality Assured
11 new World Rugby Educators (2 more working towards accreditation)
18 new L1 Coaches
6 new L1 FAIR Medics
4 new L1 S&C coaches
Thoughts and experiences of delivering an educators course across differing strands – taxing but rewarding!!!
“The “Take-Aways” from the course included that investing in extensive preparation prior to, during and post course resulted in significant and impactful learning by all involved in the process. Mantras developed over the course were always expect the unexpected, flexibility within structure and learning and can be fun! The assembled participants were gathered from a diverse range of learners in terms of age, expertise preferred learning styles, knowledge and experience.
From a Trainer’s perspective it was both enlightening and challenging to cater for and include such a differentiated collection of individuals across the medical, strength & conditioning and coaching strands. Under the supportive direction of a Master Trainer, Trainers were provided with the opportunity to work with enthusiastic and highly motivated educators. License was given to each of the Trainers to deliver and support one another in a truly collaborative environment and it was testimony to all that a facilitatory atmosphere was generated combining humorous banter, festivity and knowledge whilst exchanging ideas across the learning strands.
The context of the Sport Hub influenced the adopting teaching approaches in that the environment of excellence impacted positively on the course delivery. The range of coaching, teaching and learning styles was evident and by the positive nature of feedback by those involved in the course, it is evident that the Sports Hub provides an excellent home for Coach Education. A harmonious, collegial and purposeful learning environment was constructed and evident with an appropriate balance between theory and practice because of the excellent facilities on hand.
It was pleasing to note at the end of an extensive, often exhausting but exhilarating course energy was still high at the close of the courses. Congratulations were offered and accepted by all involved in the process and all expressed a willingness and interest to do all over again when the opportunity arises.”
Dr. Thomas Browne, World Rugby Trainer
“Initially I thought the course was going to be lecture based and content heavy. However, the Trainers were able to link the course content through authentic learning experiences by using enactments, sharing of experiences, pushing and pulling questions to us and providing constructive feedbacks to us. The use of the video analysis on our lesson delivery was definitely one of the most concise and immediate feedback I have received. This allowed me to do my reflections almost immediately and gave us the luxury to access this video anytime. This course has definitely met my learning objectives.”
Aaron Kong, P.E. Head of Department, Educator Course Participant
