Good Sports Impact: Keeping it fun for the kids
Small changes are starting to make a difference for the kids at Southern Rugby Club.
Paul, the junior convenor for the club, attended a Good Sports Workshop in Hāwera on 8 July 2021 and when interviewed six weeks later said one of his key takeaways was the need to “keep it fun for the kids”.
“We have from U6 to U11 grades and for these age groups we don’t take score, and they go out for the enjoyment. As soon as they get to U13 where we start to take the score the vibe really changes and it’s not fun.”
The workshop also led Paul to think more about coaching; the support that we provide coaches and the shift that needs to take place from a coaching perspective. “Coaches coach the way they were coached – sport has changed, and we need to find new ways of coaching and using the voice of players.”
While Paul says there has not been dramatic changes yet there is a clear evidence thinking is evolving, both at a regional and club level. “The rugby union are encouraging us to get away from A&B teams and it can be hard depending on the competitive nature of each coach, but Jack (from Taranaki Rugby) is really good at advocating for this to happen and working with the different contact people in the clubs.”
The rugby union have also made a tweak to the Ross Brown tournament to having an open grade from each region. “We used to see these kids who didn’t make weight so they couldn’t play, and they would be in tears. Now they have a grade they can play in.
Article added: Wednesday 29 September 2021
