New Coaches Attend Youth Coach Award
1st October 2025 By The Editor

We hosted out Youth Coach Award in Virgin Media Park last weekend.
There were 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’.
We caught up with coach Tadgh O’Donovan after the course to find out what he learned 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
Virgin Media Park – 11/01/2026
Youth Coach Award
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’.
Upcoming Courses
Virgin Media Park – 26/10/2025
Active Coach Badge
The Active Coach Badge is a CPD program to supplement coaching awards.
The IRFU ‘Active Mini Coach Badge’ and ‘Active Coach Badge’ courses are intended to provide coaches who have achieved the IRFU Children Coach, Youth Coach or Senior Coach Award(s), with ongoing continuing professional development (‘CPD’), i.e. information and opportunities to ensure that learning and development of your coaching skills continue throughout the season.
Dates:
Mini Coach Refresher | Clonakilty RFC – 5/10/25 10am-12pm
Mini Coach Refresher | Fermoy RFC – 19/10/25 10am-12pm
Scrum | UL4G – 20/10/25 6pm-9pm
Scrum | Virgin Media Park – 20/10/25 7pm-8pm
Video Analysis | Virtual – 20/10/25 8pm-9pm
Backline & Team Attack | UL4G – 3/11/25 6pm-7pm
Backline & Team Attack | Virgin Media Park – 3/11/25 7pm-8pm
Lineout | UL4G – 10/11/25 6pm-7pm
Lineout | Virgin Media Park – 10/11/25 7pm-8pm
Cornerstones Tackle & Catch Pass | Fethard Town Park 17/11/25 7pm-8pm
Cornerstones Tackle & Catch Pass | MTU Tralee 17/11/25 7pm-8pm
Cornerstones Tackle & Catch Pass | Virgin Media Park 17/11/25 7pm-8pm
Cornerstones Tackle & Catch Pass | UL4G 17/11/25 6pm-7pm
Mini Coach Refresher | St Sennan’s RFC – 19/11/25 7pm-8:15pm
Team Defence from Phase Play | UL4G 24/11/25 6pm-7pm
Team Defence from Phase Play | Virgin Media Park 24/11/25 7pm-8pm
Cornerstones Ball Carry & Breakdown | UL 4G 1/12/25 6pm-7pm
Cornerstones Ball Carry & Breakdown | Fethard Town Park 1/12/25 7pm-8pm
Cornerstones Ball Carry & Breakdown | Virgin Media Park 1/12/25 7pm-8pm
Cornerstones Ball Carry & Breakdown | MTU Tralee 1/12/25 7pm-8pm
Mini Coach Refresher | Dolphin RFC 7/12/25 10:30am-12pm
Mini Coach Refresher | Garryowen FC 10/12/25 7pm-8:15pm
Mini Coach Refresher | Nenagh Ormond RFC 15/12/25 7pm-8:15pm