Club coaches to get pro chance

Following a fraught meeting with the Premier One clubs earlier in May the SRU is to set up what they are calling a coaching professional development (CPD).

This would see one or two club coaches offered a two-year contract to become attached to one of the pro teams. It is the latest effort to solve the age old issue of how amateur coaches can gain the professional experience that the pro-teams now demand.

“We will have a two-year contract where we will bring people in on a CPD arrangement,” said Mark Dodson, the SRU chief executive. “We will give them the tools and the experience and the up-close day to day environment of pro rugby and get them to work with us. We are giving them that opportunity to bridge that gap and I think that that’s the first time it’s been discussed.”

Dodson insisted that the chosen coaches could also spend time in England’s Aviva Premiership or even abroad to learn best practice wherever they can find it. The SRU boss admitted that the small print still had to be thrashed out but he is happy to put the principle to the AGM next month and ask for input from clubs.

“I don’t think there is anything wrong with outlining where we want to be and asking for help in getting there. We are happy to consult rather than hand down tablets of stone.”