Coach

Our coaching philosophy

Our coaches develop rugby league players and young people, in that order of difficulty and reverse order of importance. The approach is based on the principles and standards set by the RFL, which places significant emphasis on safe, positive, enjoyable and child-centred environments.

Coaches are expected to put player welfare, development, enjoyment and safety before results.

Player welfare comes first

The primary responsibility of every coach is the welfare of the players in their care.

• Put the physical and emotional wellbeing of players before winning.
• Create a positive, welcoming and inclusive environment where players feel safe, valued and respected.
• Treat every player fairly and encourage them regardless of ability.
• Never deliberately embarrass, humiliate or belittle a player.
• Recognise that children develop at different rates, and that not every player has the same ability, confidence or ambition.
• Support players through setbacks as well as successes.
• Never place unnecessary pressure on children to perform or win.

This reflects the RFL’s approach to Primary Rugby League, where fun, enjoyment and development are identified as central to the grassroots experience.

Developing players

The job is to develop players, not simply to select the best team available. A player’s development matters more than the result of any single game.

• Plan sessions that develop individual and team skills appropriate to the age group.
• Give players room to learn from mistakes, and encourage them to make decisions rather than simply following instructions.
• Develop confidence and resilience, and give constructive feedback.
• Support players who want to progress into representative, development, Talent Hub or P2P pathways.
• Never hold a player back because of personal disagreements or favouritism.

Equality, inclusion and fairness

Every player should feel that they belong at Ince Rose Bridge.

• Treat players equally and fairly, and do not discriminate.
• Respect different backgrounds, abilities and personalities, and make reasonable adjustments where appropriate.
• Challenge bullying, discrimination or inappropriate behaviour.
• Base selection and playing opportunities on sporting and developmental considerations, not favouritism.
• Never use a player’s position in the team as a punishment for disagreements away from rugby.

Safe and appropriate training

• Plan sessions before players arrive, using appropriate activities and equipment.
• Check the playing area and equipment, and keep the environment safe.
• Deliver suitable warm-ups and cool-downs, and keep activities age appropriate.
• Avoid unnecessary or inappropriate physical demands.
• Maintain appropriate supervision, keep players actively involved, and make training enjoyable.

Injury and concussion

Player safety always takes priority over continuing a session or a match.

• Never knowingly allow an injured player to continue when it is unsafe.
• Follow RFL medical and concussion guidance, and the club’s injury procedures.
• Recognise potential concussion symptoms and remove the player from play where concussion is suspected.
• Never pressure a player to return to play.
• Report relevant injuries or incidents through the club process, and follow any return-to-play process.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Report concerns rather than trying to investigate them yourself.

• Hold the appropriate RFL registration and licensing for your role, and maintain required safeguarding qualifications.
• Understand the club’s safeguarding procedures and know who the Club Welfare Officer is.
• Report safeguarding concerns promptly, and never ignore one because it appears minor.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with players.
• Follow the club’s communication and social-media procedures.
• Cooperate fully with any safeguarding investigation.

The RFL states that allegations, suspicions or concerns about harm must be taken seriously and responded to appropriately.

Qualifications and development

• Register with the RFL and maintain your coaching licence or registration.
• Hold the appropriate coaching qualification for your role.
• Maintain the required DBS where applicable.
• Complete required safeguarding training and RFL learning and development.
• Keep up to date with relevant rules and guidance.

RFL registration is required annually, with the RFL checking the relevant requirements before issuing a coaching licence. The RFL also provides ongoing coach education and CPD through its RL Education platform.

Respect — officials, opposition and your own touchline

A coach’s behaviour sets the tone for the whole team and its supporters.

• Respect referee decisions and avoid unnecessary confrontation with officials.
• Never abuse, intimidate or threaten a referee, and never encourage players or parents to.
• Raise genuine concerns through the correct club or competition process.
• Treat opposition coaches, players and volunteers respectfully, and never encourage retaliation.
• Set expectations for player and parent behaviour, and address problems early.
• Involve the appropriate club official in serious discipline, safeguarding or persistent parent issues — you are not expected to manage every problem alone.

Match day

Before a match: players prepared, the plan understood, relevant rules known, welfare or injury concerns addressed, and competition requirements followed.

• During the game, coach positively, prioritise safety, keep emotions under control and stay respectful towards officials and opposition.
• Manage substitutions and playing arrangements in accordance with competition rules.
• Afterwards, reinforce positive behaviour, identify learning points, make sure players leave safely, and report any incidents.

Working with the Team Manager and other coaches

The coach is not solely responsible for every administrative task. Give the Team Manager what they need — availability, training and match requirements, selections, injuries and welfare concerns — and they will handle the organisation around the team.

Ince Rose Bridge is one club, not a collection of individual teams. Work with other coaches, share good practice, support less experienced coaches and ask experienced ones for help. A player belongs to the club, not just to one team.

Social media and representing the club

• Follow club social-media policies and never post inappropriate content involving players.
• Respect player and parent privacy.
• Never publicly criticise players, parents, officials or opposition, and never bring the club into disrepute.
• Ensure photographs and communications involving children comply with club safeguarding requirements.

What we do not expect from our coaches

Our coaches are volunteers, and nobody comes into the role knowing everything. We do not expect you to:

• Know every RFL rule immediately, or every administrative process.
• Deal with every parent issue yourself, or carry every team administration task.
• Be a medical professional.
• Investigate safeguarding concerns or handle serious disciplinary matters alone.
• Have all the answers.

The Ince Rose Bridge coaching standard

Every coach should aim to leave their players better than they found them: better players, better teammates, better people.

Player welfare before winning. Development before results. Respect before rivalry. Enjoyment before pressure. People before rugby.