Reds 2019

[LearningCurve]

Reg, I've spoken to someone involved with this and it is a fantastic program. It's a shame that this skills coaching isn't being offered to the 'average' kids at clubs as well. My understanding is these are the higher performing kids, which is understandable, but one way to improve skills of the average kids is to expose them to really good skills coaching from people who have such great knowledge.

What is the QRU's involvement in this? I had the impression that this was just driven by the former players to ensure kids were getting the skills that the schools were not giving them.

 

[RugbyReg]

Reg, I've spoken to someone involved with this and it is a fantastic program. It's a shame that this skills coaching isn't being offered to the 'average' kids at clubs as well. My understanding is these are the higher performing kids, which is understandable, but one way to improve skills of the average kids is to expose them to really good skills coaching from people who have such great knowledge.

What is the QRU's involvement in this? I had the impression that this was just driven by the former players to ensure kids were getting the skills that the schools were not giving them.

It's 100% former players. In saying that the QRU have started to support. They give Ballymore free of charge. Squabba has been involved, as has Cords and some of the players get involved. I think they also helped in securing balls for the program. RA have also been supportive through Adrian Thompson and Rod Kafer.

It's specifically targetted at higher level players (A players at GPS and AIC and rep players) because they want to know there is a certain base level of skill and committment and its not just little Timmy being dragged along for Latho to babysit.

Remembering coaches aren't getting paid for this.

With regards to wider skills coaching well that comes down to the coaches. I think thats basically what Kafer and Pat Richards are trying to work on.

 

[RebelYell]

Well Rugby already has a statue @ Lang Park - the GOAT, the KING

Actually Eales is a fantastic choice, other worthy recipients Tony Shaw, Mark Loane, Tim Horan or even Bob Templeton.

You mis-spelt Radike Samo!

 

[Finsbury Girl]

It's 100% former players. In saying that the QRU have started to support. They give Ballymore free of charge. Squabba has been involved, as has Cords and some of the players get involved. I think they also helped in securing balls for the program. RA have also been supportive through Adrian Thompson and Rod Kafer.

It's specifically targetted at higher level players (A players at GPS and AIC and rep players) because they want to know there is a certain base level of skill and committment and its not just little Timmy being dragged along for Latho to babysit.

Remembering coaches aren't getting paid for this.

With regards to wider skills coaching well that comes down to the coaches. I think thats basically what Kafer and Pat Richards are trying to work on.

Sounds like a fantastic program. Would be great if the QRU could expand it & run a few workshops at each of the clubs for the juniors. They could really market it, meet few old legends, polish skills the local junior volunteer coaches I'm sure would get a lot out of it as well. But well done to all ex players involved donating their time.

 

[wamberal]

The grassroots in action. Take note: it is not just about money, and it is certainly not just about RA.

 

[LearningCurve]

Sounds like a fantastic program. Would be great if the QRU could expand it & run a few workshops at each of the clubs for the juniors. They could really market it, meet few old legends, polish skills the local junior volunteer coaches I'm sure would get a lot out of it as well. But well done to all ex players involved donating their time.

Yes I've heard great things about it, and the kids involved. Comment was made to me that they were trying to teach the skills that the kids weren't getting taught in their school rugby. I think it's brilliant to have such skilled and experienced people giving back and I agree with Reg's comment that they only want motivated kids. I help coach juniors and certainly understand that, but you're right that junior coaches could benefit a lot from some of the knowledge and ideas that these guys can offer.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

Yes I've heard great things about it, and the kids involved. Comment was made to me that they were trying to teach the skills that the kids weren't getting taught in their school rugby. I think it's brilliant to have such skilled and experienced people giving back and I agree with Reg's comment that they only want motivated kids. I help coach juniors and certainly understand that, but you're right that junior coaches could benefit a lot from some of the knowledge and ideas that these guys can offer.

I think it was Quick Hands who brought this up. But Hockey Australia have a really good upskilling program that is open to players of all levels. Rugby has the grounds to do something very similar and it could be done on both a player and coach level.

We could do it two tiers. First coaches. A say 6 week program looking to upskill them and them a 6-10 week program where these coaches go back to their clubs and apply the skills they've learned.

 

[RugbyReg]

Curious, has anyone heard about a player statute getting put up for a Reds player? They’ve just finished building a new platform at the Milton Rd end of Suncorp, or the opposite side to where Wally is. From memory, there was some kind of discussion that the QRU wanted to do some kind of heritage walk or plaques?

I did think it could be a statute for Cam Smith or Thurston, but it seems out of place at that end. It coincidently finished in time for the Reds first home game.

The Eales statue is being unveiled next Monday, as suggested above, in the lead up to the first home game.

 

[PhilClinton]

I have heard the way the coaching accreditation (gaining level 1, 2, 3 etc) is being revamped in Qld or actually Australia wide? I think it's a good idea. I participated in a level 2 course at Ballymore a few years ago and it was an intensive weekend followed by the need to fill in lots of documentation regarding training plans etc in order to get signed off. I'm not sure if it's changed since then but I would have preferred a longer more practical and hands on program rather than a few days and some homework...

 

[Jimmy_Crouch]

Anyone going to watch the game at Event Cinemas Garden City on Friday?

 

[LearningCurve]

I have heard the way the coaching accreditation (gaining level 1, 2, 3 etc) is being revamped in Qld or actually Australia wide? I think it's a good idea. I participated in a level 2 course at Ballymore a few years ago and it was an intensive weekend followed by the need to fill in lots of documentation regarding training plans etc in order to get signed off. I'm not sure if it's changed since then but I would have preferred a longer more practical and hands on program rather than a few days and some homework.

What would also be useful would be to have access to some ongoing mentoring from more experienced coaches and have some specialist coaches who can be brought in to help with things like scrummaging etc if that is outside of the coach's expertise. Let's face it, we want the kids to learn how to scrum safely and effectively so having someone who really understands that on tap, perhaps each club could have a person or two who is available to go around the teams in the club providing that input and running specialist coaching sessions for the club coaches so that we all lift our knowledge.

 

[PhilClinton]

It would be great for the Reds to partner up with the clubs and head to schools in the lead up to rugby season and run a few sessions for the coaches and players. Lots of clubs currently send a few Premier Grade players and coaches to hold informal 'recruiting' meetings as school leavers prepare to graduate. The QRU could help facilitate each of the clubs running a different coaching and skills session over 8-9 weeks, helps give the clubs exposure in that recruitment sense and also helping coaches and players. Run them after school at some of the more traditional rugby schools and open them up to other schools and coaches who may not get their own sessions.

Would love to see something like that in place.

 

[Bobby Sands]

"While the halves and fullback seem set, there are still planet of question marks around the three-quarter line and it became little clearer yesterday, with coach Brad Thorn running several centre combinations in a gruelling session in the early afternoon heat at Ballymore."

Love reading that.

Honestly I think our best combination is Duncan and Jordy but I am realistic that Kerevi needs to be in the side.

Would be great if Kerevi could play 12, but he can't and Duncan makes us look so much better when he's on the paddock. However with Hegarty at the back I do wonder if three ball players might be too many.

Jordy, Hegarty, Sefa does look like a fairly promising strike back three with Daugunu/Sautia on the bench.

Exciting times.

 

[Bobby Sands]

Thorns Redsolution has started.

 

[upthereds#!]

Is Higs injured?

 

[Adam84]

Resting their wallabies.

 

[emuarse]

Is Higs injured?

Has a shoulder niggle.

 

[Jamie]

I just read on SM that the Reds are showing the game against the Highlanders at Events Cinemas, popcorn and all!

What a great idea!

 

['Tattsy'TaylorFan1]

Annoying that Thorn didn’t use either of Hockings or McReight off the bench. You can’t expect to beat a kiwi team with 4 to 8 all having to play 80 extremely taxing minutes. Scott-Young very impressive but Hanigan is a better 6 (in terms of the Wallabies) because of line out ability and improving break down work.

 

[TSR]

Annoying that Thorn didn’t use either of Hockings or McReight off the bench. You can’t expect to beat a kiwi team with 4 to 8 all having to play 80 extremely taxing minutes. Scott-Young very impressive but Hanigan is a better 6 (in terms of the Wallabies) because of line out ability and improving break down work.

Not sure how Hanigan’s selection credentials are relevant to this thread, but I’ll bite. You and I are watching two different Hanigans.

Line out ability - fine. But in what way is his breakdown work improving? He remains both inaccurate & ineffective.

I don’t expect Scott-Young to feature in this years Wallabies squad, but I would have him in front of Hanigan.

I feel sorry for Hanigan. He has become somewhat of a whipping boy. It is not his fault that he keeps getting picked, but I find it somewhat ironic you felt the need to make that post in a week when lots of Waratahs fans are calling for him to be dropped from The Tahs.