'It's been fun, even though some people have questioned why I got myself involved'

With me finishing helping out on the rugby programme aimed at using the sport of rugby as a diversionary programme on two estates in Manchester, I thought I would write another blog post. 

I've had many different thoughts on the programme. It's provided me with some excellent opportunities to work with kids from another social background, there are some great (and of course not so great!) children there that will have taken part in and enjoyed rugby for the first time and I feel that the club have an opportunity to start a team where rugby league isn't really known (which I think can be shown with two parent's interest in what was being promoted). Trying to promote the fundamental principles of the sport to the children through games such as Tag and Touch have been challenging - to pass backwards, to not be scared of being tackled, to even stay on the pitch! Personally, the whole experience has been fun. Even though some people have questioned why I got myself involved, I've met some cool people from coaches to kids and kept myself busy. From a non-coaching perspective though it would also be great if the programme's stakeholders took a more hands-on approach, helping to promote it to it's intended target group.

Next up though is my level two, which I'm looking forward to. Quick thoughts is that I feel that with my experience I'm coaching at that level although normally on these courses I'm somehow made aware of something new. I also believe I'm going to be surrounded by Rugby League nuts grilling me to see what my background in the sport is. I've bought myself a whistle to make myself look the part, too! I'll be looking to give a few blog posts about this course over the coming weeks.

Then on Wednesday I (hopefully) start with a new club being a lead coach for their under 10s, which should be a good test. All being well I will be able to commit until November at least when this mini season finishes. I'm hoping to blog weekly on each individual session and cover a few different ideas (including the league fixtures!). Let's see what happens when it gets going.