QRL launches coach development series

Queensland Rugby League is excited to launch the coach development webinar series to better equip coaches across the state.

Aligned to the QRL strategy of developing the capability of coaches and support staff in the game, the presentations will cover a range of topics to improve the coaching of rugby league at both the community and elite levels of the game.

Senior pathways and performance manager Brett Jones said after the success of the recent webinar series for performance staff, it was exciting to launch the highly-informative sessions for coaches.

"After receiving really positive feedback from our recent performance webinar series, we are pleased to be launching a new education series this week for our coaches at every level of our game," Jones said.

"The coach development series is designed to provide insights that will help coaches to establish effective environments for players to enhance their skills.

"The series throughout 2021 will focus on the four knowledge areas, the QRL have identified as underpinning the capabilities for effective coaching in rugby League. Namely craft, self, people and culture.”

Hosted by experienced coach developer Darren Holder, the sessions kick off today from 12.30pm on QRL.com.au and the QRL Facebook page or available on demand at anytime.

QRL coach development series

Monday, March 1 at 12.30pm - Female pathways, coaching and performance

 

Tahnee Norris is the current head coach of the Burleigh Bears in QRL's BHP Premiership. As a former Queensland and Australian representative, Norris has coached in the women’s game since retiring from the sport and has 25 years experience working in high performance sport at both Olympic and Commonwealth Games level.

Kelvin Wright is the current head coach of the Brisbane Broncos NRLW team and  is entering his third season at the helm of the three-time premiers. Before relocating to Queensland, Wright held numerous coaching roles within New Zealand Rugby League and New Zealand Warriors, including head coach of the Kiwi Ferns, Junior Kiwis, and Warriors Under 20s. He is also the QRL women’s coaching consultant for South East and Central Queensland.

Tuesday, March 2 at 12.30pm - Coaching philosophies, pathway teams and building growth environments

Neil Henry has had more than 35 years of experience coaching rugby league with 14 years in the NRL. He currently consults to the NRL in a variety of areas including the new player development framework, RISE development program, TackleSafe program, Jillaroos representative program and Junior Kangaroos.

His full-time coaching career started as an assistant coach at the North Queensland Cowboys from 2003-2006 along with an assistant role with the Queensland State of Origin team from 2006-2009 and 2020.

He was appointed head coach of the Canberra Raiders in 2007-2008 and then coached the North Queensland Cowboys from 2009-2013. His last head coaching position at the Gold Coast Titans commenced late in the 2014 season until 2017. In all, he has coached for 10 seasons in the NRL amassing 248 games and making the finals on five occasions.

Wednesday, March 3 at 12.30pm - Effort areas and player responsibility

Kelvin Wright is the current head coach of the Brisbane Broncos NRLW team and  is entering his third season at the helm of the three-time premiers. Before relocating to Queensland, Wright held numerous coaching roles within New Zealand Rugby League and New Zealand Warriors, including head coach of the Kiwi Ferns, Junior Kiwis, and Warriors Under 20s. He is also the QRL women’s coaching consultant for South East and Central Queensland.

Thursday, March 4 at 12.30pm - Defensive systems and skills

John Dixon began his rugby league journey as a player for Toowoomba and took to coaching when he retired from playing, becoming coach of the Clydesdales and also working for 10 years at the Brisbane Broncos from 1995 in various coaching and development roles under Wayne Bennett. In 2005, Dixon moved to Wales to coach the Celtic Crusaders before returning to Queensland in 2010 to coach the Redcliffe Dolphins. He is now a QRL coaching consultant working with statewide competitions clubs in Queensland.

Friday, March 5 at 12.30pm - Principles of attack and foundational skills

Ben Jeffries was the inaugural Queensland Academy of Sport female rugby league head coach and is currently the Queensland junior talent development coach. Jeffries is also the QRL's statewide under 18 female performance program lead and elite pathways coach with the North Queensland Cowboys. His previous roles have included being the Murri female talent identification lead and NRL Indigenous All Stars head coach.