The news section enables us to give you insight into the world of coaching in Wales.
With news articles on local community coaches, those yearly law amendments and how to you can be part of the WRU Coach Development Team
You will find all you need here.
If you have an interesting news story about coaching you would like to share please contact jevans@wru.wales
WRU Educator Programme
The Welsh Rugby Union Community Rugby Department perceives the development and support of volunteers in Wales as vital to enable the game to thrive.
The WRU offers a wide and varied suite of formal, informal and digital educational opportunities, across all sections of our rugby department and are currently supported by a dedicated workforce.
For the WRU to continually be at the forefront of development it is looking to recruit, develop and deploy more Educators within the game.
What is a WRU Educator?
A WRU Educator develops people who make our game safer and better. They support and develop new and existing coaches, officials, medics, and administrators that help to increase participation and retention and enhance the player experience.
As a WRU Educator you will educate learners within their domain. For example those who want to become a referee would attend a level 1 referee course and you would assist in the delivery of the course, although you can educate in more than one domain.
Which are as follows: –
You will also enter in to WRU Educator development programme that requires each person to commit to
Completion of the core modules (you will have achieved WRU Educator status this will remain with you for 2 years.)
To remain accredited, you must deliver 2 courses a year in your domain across the suite of educational courses.
You also must show that you are committed to personal development and participate in Continual Educator Development – This can be via CED opportunities such as workshops, or educator communities of practice.
Complete the domain specific orientation training.
All domains have the same orientation training the only difference is the content you deliver. You will be expected to shadow the course, learn the presentations, and co deliver before your deployment can begin.
You will also have assigned a Trainer who will support you in your personal development and you will be expected to keep a documented personal educator plan
On completion of the WRU educator core modules and domain orientation you will be issued with new starter forms to enable you to get remunerated for your services.
Process of becoming an Educator
If you are interest to become a Welsh Rugby Union Educator, and you have reviewed the role specification, which gives an insight into the skills, behaviours, knowledge, understanding and qualifications required. Then contact your Regional Coach Development Officer – all contact details are found on the coaching main page.
The WRU Coach Development Team are delighted to announce the dates for the 2025/26 Season National WRU Level 3 Advanced Coaching Course.
DATES:
Day one & two 12th & 13th July 25
Eve 8th Sept 25
Day three 12th Oct 25
Day four 18th Jan 26
Day five Tech Tact 29th of March 26
Presentations W/C 11th May 26
COURSE OUTLINE:
To provide candidates who have an on-going involvement in coaching rugby union with the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience to deliver a coaching programme and demonstrate their rugby union coaching ability.
The course offers an opportunity for candidates to be given support to effectively apply the principles of the WRU coaching framework which have the four main headings in coaching craft, Leadership, People, and self-concept. Within these aspects we will cover creativity in coaching, session design, observation, and coaching approach. Also there will be sessions on planning, self, learning environments, leadership styles and reflective practice.
It also aims to enable the candidate to create an effective coaching environment, establish supportive working relationships and manage the behaviour of self, players, and others. This is achieved through the WRU coaching framework and an understanding and the application of the underpinning knowledge of Advanced coaching (Level 3)
The course is a mixture of theory and technical and tactical sessions throughout the course, group work, individual tasks and community of practice sessions. A mentor will be assigned to the candidates for the duration of the course to support the coach through the programme.
The National WRU Advanced coaching (level 3) course will accommodate a maximum of 24 Candidates split evenly across the regionals.
Due to the anticipated demand of course places across Wales, priority access will be given to candidates based on the following criteria if applications exceed the allocated numbers:
Enhanced Priority:
● Regional Age Grade Coaches (16 – 18)
● Regional based Premiership Coach
● Regional Development Workforce
● Player pathway Development Coaches (EPP)
Preferred Priority:
● Regional resident
● Regional based Senior/Youth level coach
● Regular attendance at Regional CPD events
Minimum Priority:
● Coaching a community team from youth or senior team
● Out of region applicants
Course fees are £600 – Course cost, include five days of national development which one will be a residential weekend stay, three regional sessions, two coaching assessments in your coaching environment and 3 mentoring sessions.
Application Criteria
● Applicants must be coaching.
● Level 2 Qualified.
To apply, candidates need to submit the following:
● Rugby coaching CVl
● Letter of application highlighting why you should be selected for this course.
● 20-minute coaching video.
● 200-word reflection on their coaching session.
Applications should be sent to your Regional Coach & Referee Development Officer no later than the 25 th of April 2025.
Should you wish to discuss your application please feel free to contact your Regional Coach & Referee Development Officer.
A LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE – A PARTNERSHIP STORY
For over two decades, the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) and Cardiff Metropolitan University have shared a partnership that has profoundly shaped the landscape of rugby coaching in Wales. This enduring collaboration, rooted in a shared passion for the sport and a commitment to excellence, has become one of the cornerstones of Welsh rugby’s success on and off the field.
Since its inception in the early 2000s, the partnership has evolved into a dynamic alliance that combines the WRU’s deep understanding of the game with Cardiff Met’s expertise in sports science, education, and research. Together, they have pioneered innovative coaching methodologies, developed coaching programs, and nurtured generations of talented coaches who have gone on to make their mark in Welsh rugby and beyond.
The collaboration between the WRU and Cardiff Met was born out of a mutual desire to elevate rugby coaching standards in Wales. Recognising the critical role of coaching in player development and team performance. Over the years, the partnership has focused on three key pillars:
One of the most significant achievements of the collaboration has been the establishment of the Rugby Coaching Academy at Cardiff Metropolitan University. Launched in 2018, the academy has become a hub for aspiring and experienced coaches, offering a range of courses tailored to different levels of expertise. From introductory workshops for community coaches to advanced programs for elite-level mentors, the academy has equipped thousands of individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the sport.
While the partnership has achieved significant success at the elite level, its impact on grassroots rugby has been equally transformative. Through initiatives such as coaching workshops and community outreach programs, the WRU and Cardiff Met have worked tirelessly to support coaches in local clubs and schools. These efforts have helped to foster a culture at the grassroots level, ensuring that young players across Wales have access to high-quality coaching from an early age.
The long-standing collaboration between the WRU and Cardiff Met has produced a legacy of success that extends far beyond the rugby pitch. Together, they have trained thousands of coaches, many of whom have gone on to achieve remarkable success in the sport. From guiding local teams to victory to coaching national squads on the international stage, these individuals are a testament to the power of the partnership.
As Welsh rugby continues to evolve, the WRU and Cardiff Met remain committed to pushing the boundaries of coaching excellence. With plans to expand their collaborative efforts in the coming years, the future of rugby coaching in Wales looks brighter than ever.
The video below gives you an insight into the partnership.