Virgin Media Park hosted our Youth Coach Award last weekend with 57 coaches in attendance from clubs across the region.
The IRFU “Youth Coach Course” is an introduction to coaching the 15-a-side game for coaches and helpers with limited experience in rugby.
The course is suited to people working with players aged 12+ with an emphasis on player enjoyment and coaching through best practice.
The course is designed to develop the coach in the role of ‘Teacher’.
Throughout the day coaches learnt how to plan sessions efficiently and teach the four cornerstones of rugby through games and movement.
We caught up with coach Tadgh O'Donovan after the course to find out what he had learnt and how he found the day.
Video | Youth Coach Award
See below for further details on upcoming coaching courses.Children's Coach Award
The IRFU "Children's Coach Course" is for coaches of Mini Rugby players aged 5-12. Players are introduced to the game of rugby for the first time through participation in games with reduced numbers of 8, 10, or 12-a-side. The goal is to develop players’ all-round skills and game-understanding with an emphasis on Fundamental Movement Skills delivered through basic Technical, Tactical & Physical course modules. There is an emphasis on enjoyment and player development using best practice, the coach acting as a 'Guide' in a player-centred process.Upcoming Courses
Virgin Media Park - 12/10/2025
UL Pavilion 4G – 10/01/2026 Virgin Media Park – 11/01/2026