1 / 11

Introducing children to rugby: Shaping the game, retaining players and developing talent

Introducing children to rugby: Shaping the game, retaining players and developing talent Gethin Thomas. Introducing children to rugby: Shaping the game, retaining players and developing talent Gethin Thomas. Research Partner. Rugby Football Union (RFU)

lucita
Download Presentation

Introducing children to rugby: Shaping the game, retaining players and developing talent

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Introducing children to rugby: Shaping the game, retaining players and developing talentGethin Thomas Introducing children to rugby: Shaping the game, retaining players and developing talent Gethin Thomas

  2. Research Partner Rugby Football Union (RFU) Gary Townsend, Player Development Manager AIM: To increase the number of children playing rugby

  3. Overview Focus The game played from U7 through to U11 Its impact on the development and retention of players. Aim Evaluate and compare on-pitch performance of the current games played (continuum) with the games played under the proposed new rules (pilot). Examine the attitudes of key ‘users’ to the continuum game and pilot game. Methods Quantitative and qualitative methods.

  4. Interdisciplinary Approach Player/child development cannot be adequately understood in a narrow, mono-disciplinary approach (Bailey et al., 2010). Interdisciplinary approach driven by an empirically/theoretically justified ‘balance’ between the bio-psycho-social domains (Bailey et al., 2010). Interdisciplinary Biological: Motor Development between 7 - 11. Psychological: Cognitive Development. Social: Participation / attitudes of parents and coaches.

  5. Year 1: U7 and U9 3 pilot areas Durham, Hampshire, Warwickshire. 3 continuum areas Cheshire, Devon, Gloucestershire. Methods Filmed matches at festivals in all areas. Parents’ questionnaire. Player feedback. Online coaches questionnaire.

  6. Under 7 – Key Rule Changes

  7. Observations U7 Children are very egocentric at this age. Significant difference in physical and psychological development. Parents and coaches play a key role in all aspects of player development. Key observations More players are ‘involved’ in the pilot game. Increase in opportunities to develop their skills and tactical understanding. Feedback from players say that they enjoy both games. LINK TO SHORT VIDEO IF TIME

  8. Under 9 – Key Rule Changes

  9. Observations U9 Children are beginning to develop the ability to play in a team. Difference in physical and psychological development continues. Negative impact of competitive tournaments on the behaviour. Key observations The pilot game is fast paced with only short breaks in play. Simplifying the game allows the players to focus on developing game skills. Physically smaller players have more success when tackling. LINK TO SHORT VIDEO IF TIME

  10. What’s next? Analysis of Yr 1 data Year 2: U8 and U10 Year 3: U11 Should allow for a (brief) longitudinal comparison

  11. Thank you – any questions? • Research presented here was conducted during an ESRC Studentship under its Capacity Building Clusters Award (RES-187-24-0002) in partnership with the Rugby Football Union. • For more information about this project and the work of the Centre for Sport, Leisure and Tourism research, see www.ex.ac.uk/slt[adjust URL to direct to your project space of the site]. • Gethin Thomas, glt201@exeter.ac.uk, 07866 140723.

More Related