Upcoming Courses In Coaching And Refereeing
5th September 2025 By The Editor
Munster Rugby School Of Excellence ©INPHO
A number of Coaching Courses will take place throughout the province over the coming weeks and months.
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 – 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 – 28/09/2025
Senior Coach Award
Irish Rugby’s Senior Coaching Course is for coaches working with 15-a-side teams where players are aged 16+.
Principles of Play are developed through Key Factor Analysis and applied to individual skills, mini-unit skills, unit skills and team skills.
Coaches who complete the course are expected to be able to identify and rectify technical deficiencies in players. They will also have the ability to plan, organise, manage, communicate and develop the skills of their players through implementation of both sport specific and generic sport modules.
The course is designed to develop the coach in a ‘Challenger’ role.
Upcoming Course
Online #1
Date: Wednesday 8th October 2025
Time: 19:00-21:00
Online #2
Date: Thursday 16th October 2025
Time: 19:00-21:00
Practical/On pitch
Date: Saturday 18th October 2025
Time: 09:00-17:00
Venue: University Limerick 4G Rugby pitch and The Pavilion Conference room
“Before completing the form, please ensure you meet the requirements and available for online and practical sessions as well as the ability to complete the pre course requirements.”
Active Coaching 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.
Upcoming Courses
Mini Coach Refresher | Carrick-on-Suir – 25/9/25 7pm-8:15pm
Mini Coach Refresher | Clonakilty RFC – 5/10/25 10am-12pm
Mini Coach Refresher | Listowel RFC (Listowel Coop Field) – 11/9/25 6:30pm
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
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 Senan’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
Referee Tomas O’Sullivan during the Munster Schools Junior Cup Final ©INPHO
MAR New Members Courses
The search for new referees is underway and the next course for new members of the Munster Association of Referees has been set for Saturday, September 6th.
The course will be held at the University of Limerick’s Sports Pavilion on the North Campus from 11am to 3pm.
To register and receive further details, please email Munster Referee Development Manager Olly Hodges at olly.hodges@irfu.ie or phone at 086-8596289.
Did you know rugby referees have the best seat in the house? If keeping fit (referees run six miles in an 80 minute match), travelling, taking part in a lively social scene or getting an adrenaline rush is your idea of a great pastime, rugby refereeing could be for you.
Referees provide a vital function in servicing all levels of the game. Refereeing is also a fantastic hobby and is a genuine alternative to playing the game.
