9am Arrival & registration
9.45am Welcome & introduction
10am Strategy & state of the game update
10.30am Gainline launch
11am Breakout workshops (Round 1)
12pm Breakout workshops (Round 2)
1pm Lunch & partner exhibition
1.45pm T1 Rugby introduction & demonstration
2.30pm Breakout workshops (Round 3)
3.30pm Youth performance pathway update
3.50pm Looking ahead to next season
4.15pm Finish
PROGRAMME
GUEST SPEAKERS
Andy Boyd Athletic Development Manager Claire Cruikshank Edinburgh Rugby & Edinburgh University Women Head Coach Stuart Corsar Performance Coach Women & Girls Pathway JP Doyle High Performance Match Officials Head Coach Jared Deacon Academy S&C coach David Drummond Regional Director, East Region John Fletcher Head of Pathways & Elite Coach Development Ross Ford Alan Falconer Regional Director, Glasgow South Stuart Ferrier Performance Pathway and Talent Manager, sportscotland Neil Graham Head of Game Sam Grove-White Professional Referee Pete Horne Scotland Men Assistant Coach Ben John The Rugby Trainer Edward Hall Assistant Professor, Sociology of Sport, Northumbria University Caroline Blair (Host) Presenter, Podcaster and Event Host
GUEST SPEAKERS
Toni Lamb Performance Nutritionist Mike Legget Academy S&C Coach Kenny Murray Scotland U20 Head Coach & Head of Player Transition Craig McCann Senior Match Official Development Manager Chris Laidlaw Performance Coach Women & Girls Pathway Danny Newcombe Coach Development Manager – Premier League Head Coach – Hockey Wales, Senior Men Fergus Pringle Scotland U20 Assistant Coach Chris Pacey Regional Director, Caledonia Midlands Rosy Ryan Lead Development Manager for Women & Girls Lindsey Smith Performance Coach Women & Girls Pathway Drew Scott Womens Pathway S&C Coach Gav Scott Director of Rugby Development Steve Turnbull Head of Rugby Development Operations Rudi Urbach Regional Director, Caledonia North Pieter De Villiers Scotland Men Assistant Coach Keith Wallace Scottish Rugby Vice President Jason Lewis Director of Participation, World Rugby Keith Lewis Laws Coordinator, World Rugby Greg Woods Participation Programmes Manager, World Rugby Andy Cummins Regional Manager, Caledonia Midlands
COACH & MATCH OFFICIAL WORKSHOPS
Workshop
Theme Round 1
11am-11.50am
Rugby Skills
Girls Blueprint Curriculum
Rugby Skills
Boys Blueprint Curriculum
Physical Skills
Boys & Girls
Blueprint Curriculum
Blueprint coaching
Coaching
Set-Piece Skills
Creative Attack – Girls Curriculum
Claire Cruikshank & Chris Laidlaw (P)
Creative Attack – Boys Curriculum
Pete Horne (P)
Strength & Power – Physical Curriculum
Mike Leggett, Drew Scott, Ross Ford (P)
Speed & Agility – Physical Curriculum
Jaren Deacon, Andy Ryan, Dave Cowan (P)
Planning for action: rethinking practice
design
Danny Newcombe & John Fletcher (I)
Scrum Fundamentals
Pieter de Villiers & Stuart Corsar (P)
Mini Rugby
Match
Officiating
Developing Handling Skills for Minis
Ben John (P)
Developing your Game Sense
Sam Grove-White & JP Doyle (I)
Round 2 12pm-12:50pm
Relentless Contact – Girls Curriculum
Claire Cruikshank & Lindsey Smith (P)
Relentless Contact – Boys Curriculum
Fergus Pringle & Pete Horne (P)
(R) Strength & Power – Physical Curriculum
Mike Leggett, Drew Scott, Ross Ford (P)
(R) Speed & Agility – Physical Curriculum
Jaren Deacon, Andy Ryan, Dave Cowan (P)
How to effectively Co-Coach
Edward Hall (I)
Building the Scrum
Pieter de Villiers & Stuart Corsar (P)
Mini Rugby Bug Busting
Stuart Ferrier (P)
Improving your Positioning
Sam Grove-White & JP Doyle (P)
Round 3 2:30pm-3:30pm
Dictating Defence – Girls Curriculum
Lindsey Smith & Chris Laidlaw (P)
Dictating Defence – Boys Curriculum
Kenny Murray (P)
Enhancing your physical performance environment (insights & opportunities)
Toni Lamb & Andy Boyd (I)
Planning for inter-action: we still need to coach
Danny Newcombe & John Fletcher (I)
Lineout Fundamentals
Fergus Pringle (P)
Developing Mini Rugby Tackle & Contact
Skills
Ben John (P)
Scrum Set up for Success
Sam Grove-White, JP Doyle & Pieter De
Villiers (P)
T1 Rugby – a game for everyone
T1 Rugby
(P) Practical workshop (I) Indoor workshop
Jason Lewis, Greg Woods, Keith Lewis (I) (R) Repeat workshop
COACH & MATCH OFFICIAL WORKSHOPS
RUGBY SKILLS GIRLS BLUEPRINT CURRICULUM
Workshop Theme Creative Attack – Girls
Curriculum (Claire Cruikshank & Chris Laidlaw) PRACTICAL
When is this workshop happening?
Further Workshop
Information
Round 1
11am-11.50am
Relentless Contact – Girls
Curriculum (Claire Cruikshank & Lindsey Smith) PRACTICAL
Round 2 12pm-12:50pm
This workshop will focus on the Creative Attack elements within the Girls Blueprint Curriculum (download here).
Coaches who attend this workshop will gain a deeper understanding of the Blueprint principles, and ideas on how to coach these within their own club or school setting.
This workshop will focus on the Relentless Contact elements within the Girls Blueprint Curriculum (download here).
Coaches who attend this workshop will gain a deeper understanding of the Blueprint principles, and ideas on how to coach these within their own club or school setting.
Dictating Defence – Girls
Curriculum (Lindsey Smith & Chris Laidlaw) PRACTICAL
Round 3 2:30pm-3:30pm
This workshop will focus on the Dictating Defence elements within the Girls Blueprint Curriculum (download here).
Coaches who attend this workshop will gain a deeper understanding of the Blueprint principles, and ideas on how to coach these within their own club or school setting.
RUGBY SKILLS BOYS BLUEPRINT CURRICULUM
Workshop Theme
When is this workshop happening?
Further Workshop
Information
Creative Attack – Boys
Curriculum (Pete Horne) PRACTICAL
Round 1
11am-11.50am
Relentless Contact – Boys
Curriculum (Fergus Pringle & Pete Horne) PRACTICAL
Round 2 12pm-12:50pm
This workshop will focus on the Creative Attack elements within the Boys Blueprint Curriculum (download here).
Coaches who attend this workshop will gain a deeper understanding of the Blueprint principles, and ideas on how to coach these within their own club or school setting.
This workshop will focus on the Relentless Contact elements within the Boys Blueprint Curriculum (download here).
Coaches who attend this workshop will gain a deeper understanding of the Blueprint principles, and ideas on how to coach these within their own club or school setting.
Dictating Defence – Boys
Curriculum (Kenny Murray) PRACTICAL
Round 3 2:30pm-3:30pm
This workshop will focus on the Dictating Defence elements within the Boys Blueprint Curriculum (download here).
Coaches who attend this workshop will gain a deeper understanding of the Blueprint principles, and ideas on how to coach these within their own club or school setting.
PHYSICAL SKILLS BLUEPRINT CURRICULUM
Workshop Theme Strength & Power – Physical Curriculum (Mike Leggett, Drew Scott, Ross Ford) PRACTICAL
When is this workshop happening?
Further Workshop Information
Round 1
11am-11.50am
Round 2 12pm-12:50pm
This workshop will focus on the Strength & Power elements of the Blueprint Curriculum (download here).
Coaches who attend this workshop will gain a deeper understanding of the Blueprint principles, and ideas on how to coach these within their own club or school setting.
Speed & Agility – Physical Curriculum (Jaren Deacon, Andy Ryan, Dave Cowan) PRACTICAL
Round 1
11am-11.50am
Round 2 12pm-12:50pm
This workshop will focus on the Speed & Agility elements within the Blueprint Curriculum (download here).
Coaches who attend this workshop will gain a deeper understanding of the Blueprint principles, and ideas on how to coach these within their own club or school setting.
Enhancing your physical performance environment (Toni Lamb & Andy Boyd) INDOOR
Round 3 2:30pm-3:30pm
This workshop will support club and school coaches and directors of rugby to understand more about how to enhance their environment to support player development.
Workshop Theme
When is this workshop happening?
BLUEPRINT COACHING
Planning for action: rethinking practice design (Danny Newcombe & John Fletcher) INDOOR
Round 1 11am-11.50am
Further Workshop Information Our players will be as good as the problems they interact with. In this workshop Danny and Fletch will support you to build practices to support players in solving problems presented by the game.
The session will link to the Blueprint coaching skills and session design principles available here.
How to effectively Co-Coach (Edward Hall) INDOOR
Round 2 12pm-12:50pm
Edward will explore ways for multi-disciplinary teams of coaches to work collaboratively and maximise time on task.
Through research into professional coaching practice, Edward will draw on experience and research in Rugby and other sports to provide insights in how coaching groups can be more effective.
Planning for inter-action: we still need to coach (Danny Newcombe & John Fletcher) INDOOR
Round 3 2:30pm-3:30pm
Life raft or armband? In this workshop Danny and Fletch will explore a coaching toolbox to support players to solve the problems the game presents to them.
The session will link to the Blueprint coaching skills and session design principles available here.
COACHING SET-PIECE SKILLS
Workshop Theme Scrum Fundamentals (Pieter de Villiers & Stuart Corsar) PRACTICAL
When is this workshop happening? Round 1 11am-11.50am
Further Workshop Information Pieter and Stuart will demonstrate how to effectively coach players into good individual body positions – the fundamentals of any scrum.
Throughout the workshop coaches will gain knowledge of coaching activities that can be delivered to players at all levels.
Building the Scrum (Pieter de Villiers & Stuart Corsar) PRACTICAL
Round 2 12pm-12:50pm
Lineout Fundamentals (Fergus Pringle) PRACTICAL
Round 3 2:30pm-3:30pm
Pieter and Stuart will progress from the round 1 workshop and focus on building a full scrum.
The session will look at areas of binding and alignment, and consider how to get the best out of your players.
Fergus will demonstrate how to effectively coach the fundamentals of the lineout including movement, finding space, and the basics of jump and lifting mechanics.
Throughout the workshop coaches will gain knowledge of coaching activities that can be delivered to players at all levels.
MINI RUGBY
Workshop Theme Developing Handling Skills for Minis (Ben John) PRACTICAL
When is this workshop happening? Round 1
11am-11.50am
Mini Rugby Bug Busting (Stuart Ferrier) INDOOR Developing Mini Rugby Tackle & Contact Skills (Ben John) PRACTICAL
Round 2 12pm-12:50pm
Round 3 2:30pm-3:30pm
Further Workshop Information
Throughout the session Ben will look at simple handling activities for mini rugby players.
Throughout the workshop coaches will gain knowledge of coaching activities that can be delivered to players at all levels.
Stuart will share his learnings from several years coaching Mini Rugby at Perthshire RFC and provide hints and tips for coaches currently active within mini rugby.
The workshop will also be an opportunity for coaches to share their own learnings and solutions to the common challenges within the mini game.
Throughout the session Ben will look at how to effectively coach the tackle at mini rugby level, providing hints and tips on building confidence and technique.
Throughout the workshop coaches will gain knowledge of coaching activities that can be delivered to players at all levels.
MATCH OFFICIATING
Workshop Theme Developing your Game Sense (Sam Grove-White & JP Doyle) INDOOR
When is this workshop happening?
Round 1
11am-11.50am
Further Workshop Information This workshop will support referees at all levels to consider how their officiating can add value to the game and player experience. The workshop will explore how referees can alter their refereeing approach depending on the game and players needs.
Improving your Positioning (Sam Grove-White & JP Doyle) PRACTICAL
Round 2 12pm-12:50pm
Scrum Set up for Success (Sam Grove-White, JP Doyle & Pieter De Villiers) PRACTICAL
Round 3 2:30pm-3:30pm
A practical session delving into the intricacies of how movement and positioning can help you improve your refereeing.
Sam and JP will draw on their experiences at all levels of the game to demonstrate how movement patterns change and evolve.
A unique opportunity to explore the scrum through the lens of both a referee and coach.
JP and Sam will dissect the scrum and look at how a referee’s set up for success at the scrum, with Pieter providing a coaches insight.
Workshop Theme T1 Rugby – a game for everyone
(Jason Lewis, Greg Woods, Keith Lewis – World Rugby) INDOOR
When is this workshop happening? Round 3 2:30pm-3:30pm
Further Workshop Information
A follow up on the T1 demonstration delivered after lunch, Jason, Greg and Keith from World Rugby will provide additional information about the T1 Rugby format. This will include information on the T1 Rugby laws, background on how and why it was developed, and experiences from other countries who are engaged.
T1 RUGBY
For further information on T1 Rugby please visit click here
CLUB DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS
Workshop Topic Facilitators
State SchoolsInspiring the next generation
Developing your facilities with Scottish Gas
Rudi Urbach
Regional Director Caledonia North
Steve Turnbull
Head of Rugby Development Operations
Andy Cummins
Regional Manager Caledonia Midlands
Harnessing the growth of the women and girls' game
How to market your club
Rosy Ryan
Lead Development Manager for Women & Girls
David Drummond
Regional Director East
Fraser Walker-Pearce
Communications Manager
Keeping players in the game for longer
Embedding the values of the game in your club
Alan Falconer
Regional Director Glasgow South
Case Studies Timings
Craigie High School & Bucksburn Academy Round 1 11am-11.50am
Strathmore RFC Round 1 11am-11.50am
Lochaber RFC & Biggar RFC Round 2–12pm-12:50pm
Perthshire RFC & Dumfries Saints RFC Round 2 12pm-12:50pm
Strathendrick RFC & Dalziel RFC Round 3 2:30pm-3:30pm
Chris Pacey
Regional Director Caledonia Midlands
Dalkeith RFC, Annan RFC & Montrose RFC Round 3 2:30pm-3:30pm
CLUB DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS
CLUB DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS ROUND 1
Workshop Theme State Schools - Inspiring the next generation (Rudi Urbach) INDOOR
When is this workshop happening?
Round 1 11am-11.50am
Further Workshop Information Empowering attendees to embed the key principles of developing rugby programmes in State Schools environments.
Developing your facilities with Scottish Gas (Steve Turnbull & Andy Cummins) INDOOR
Round 1 11am-11.50am
The purpose, value and latest progress of Scottish Gas' engagement with Scottish Rugby via Retro-fit Surveys and facility developments.
In exploring the "how?", we'll discuss the strengthening our State Schools workforce, ways to engaging and inspire those new to the game and how Scottish Rugby are supporting Schools to progress through the ASIDE model.
Featuring Craigie High School & Bucksburn Academy Strathmore RFC
CLUB DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS ROUND 2
Workshop Theme
When is this workshop happening? Round 2
Further Workshop Information
Harnessing the growth of the women and girls' game (Rosy Ryan) INDOOR
How to market your club (David Drummond & Fraser WalkerPierce) INDOOR
12pm-12:50pm Round 2 12pm-12:50pm
Join us in our workshop as we dive into how rugby clubs are transforming the sport through positive introductions to Rugby by creating strong connections between schools and clubs.
The workshop will explore how through this growth, clubs are establishing girls' teams to create sustainable playing pathways for all.
Featuring Lochaber RFC & Biggar RFC
Game plan for growth - transforming vision into action through strategic marketing and communication.
This workshop aims to equip rugby clubs with the tools and strategies needed to breathe life into development plans, fostering engagement, growth, and success through effective marketing and communication strategies and techniques.
Perthshire RFC & Dumfries Saints RFC
CLUB DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS ROUND 3
Workshop Theme
When is this workshop happening?
Further Workshop Information
Round 3
Keeping players in the game for longer (Alan Falconer) INDOOR
2:30pm-3:30pm
Join us in our workshop as we dive into how rugby clubs are transforming the sport through positive introductions to Rugby by creating strong connections between schools and clubs.
The workshop will explore how through this growth, clubs are establishing girls' teams to create sustainable playing pathways for all.
Embedding the values of the game in your club (Chris Pacey) INDOOR
Round 3 2:30pm-3:30pm
Game plan for growth - transforming vision into action through strategic marketing and communication.
This workshop aims to equip rugby clubs with the tools and strategies needed to breathe life into development plans, fostering engagement, growth, and success through effective marketing and communication strategies and techniques.
Featuring Strathendrick RFC & Dalziel RFC Dalkeith RFC, Annan RFC & Montrose RFC