31club and school coaches from across the province attended the course, which is part of the IRFU’s National Coach Development Pathway, catering for coaches working at stage 3 of the IRFU LTPD Programme. The course deals with the 'Principles of Play' by developing them through the use of Key Factor Analysis. These are then applied to individual, Mini Unit, Unit and Team Skills. The aim of the course is to ensure that by the end, coaches should be able to identify and rectify technical deficiencies, as well as improve planning, organising, communicating and developing the skills of his/her players through the implementation of sport specific and generic modules.

As well as the Branch Rugby Development department and HPU staff, IRFU guests and designated tutors delivered modules on the day. Among the tutors were Hika Reid, former All Black and Director of Rugby at Portadown RFC, Jonathan Bell, former Ulster and Ireland player and current coach of Dungannon RFC and Campbell College Belfast, and Brian Leslie, head of P.E. at Banbridge Academy and Head Coach of Ulster Schools' U18s.

Course Director, Darryl Callaghan commented: "We are delighted with the quality and commitment shown throughout the weekend and would like to thank all the participants and tutors involved for their contribution. I would also like to thank Royal School Dungannon for the use of their excellent facilities, which have definitely made delivery of the Level 1Coaches Course much more effective."

The IRFU Ulster Branch RDOs will now mentor and support the coaches in attendance to ensure that they pursue their accreditation and continue to develop through their coaching participation.

Further coaching courses will be running throughout the summer- for further information please contact Julie Dorman on 028 90493111.

Click here to see photos from the Level 1 course.