An event aimed at inspiring and educating the next generation of junior league coaches, Sharks NRL Assistants Steve Price, Josh Hannay and Daniel Holdsworth hosted a ‘Coach the Coaches’ session earlier this week.
Conducted in partnership with Cronulla-Sutherland Junior Rugby League, the senior Sharks trio took the attentive group through practical on-field drills during an evening based around teaching the fundamentals of the game, in offering coach education that can be taken back and incorporated within their own training sessions.
The importance of understanding individual player personalities, patience in dealing with players of varying skill levels and fair game time across all players within their teams, were amongst the variety of areas covered on the night.
Attendees were assembled from across the 13 local area clubs, with the event free and targeting coaches involved with teams from the under 6’s up to under 16’s.
Price, Hannay and Holdsworth led the session in incorporating their own philosophies into the various drills, while conveying the important message that it’s not just what you coach, but how you coach.
Brian Teplicanec, who keeps himself extremely busy coaching a number of teams at the Taren Point Titans, was one to enjoy the night while gaining plenty of coaching insights.
“Having access to coaches of that level and experience is a rare and awesome opportunity,” Teplicanec said. “They were some really good drills and I’ll certainly take them back to the teams I coach.
“The three stations were very good, so simple but it made sense, and it was interesting that the guys at the top are still doing some of the same fundamental drills.”
Currently involved in the coaching of girls and boy’s teams, Teplicanec felt the lessons learned could benefit aspiring male and female players.
“It was definitely relevant to both. My under 12’s boys, some are trying to get over the fear of tackling and Pricey had some very good drills to help with that,” he added.
The Coach the Coaches event, held on the main field at PointsBet Stadium, was a joint initiative between the Sharks community arm Sharks Have Heart and the local junior league.
