Episode 20: Mike Hester

Episode 21: Brad Cooper

Brad Cooper currently serves as the assistant coach for the Taranaki Bulls, who secured victory in the NPC in 2023. Additionally, he has recently been appointed as the coach for the New Zealand U20 Men's rugby team and is also the Coach Development Manager at Taranaki Rugby. Coops has come through the coaching ranks, gaining experience coaching club, representative, and secondary school teams. I have got to know Coops well over the past few years with the work I have done with Taranaki Rugby. He's a real good bugger - humble, hard working, open to learning. It's always good to share notes and learn from him. It has been so awesome seeing a man of his character climb through the coaching ranks.  We yarned about:  * The Taranaki Bulls winning season - 'Creating Memorable Experiences' * Differences coaching adults v youth * His NZ U20 role * Coach Development  * And more.... Taranaki Rugby have been in partnership with the IntaSport coaching app since 2022. They're 'inta' sport - Are you? Click here for more details: https://www.intasport.org/

Episode 20: Mike Hester

Meet Mike Hester, the Participation Development Manager at New Zealand Rugby, tasked with the pivotal role of evolving the game to sustain interest and involvement in rugby. Balancing the weight of tradition with the evolving needs of today's youth and society, Mike faces the challenge head-on, charting a course for the sport's future. In our yarn, Mike peels back the layers, revealing the reasoning behind some of New Zealand Rugby's decisions around game modifications. As coaches and administrators, we often lack this crucial insight into the 'why' behind the changes. This yarn sheds light on the rationale behind modifications aimed at boosting engagement. I, for one, am a fan of adaptations that help increase engagement and joy in rugby / sport. I hope this discussion offers invaluable clarity to fellow enthusiasts in the rugby and indeed sporting community.  We discussed:  * His role and why it exists * Changes to tackle height and the outcomes * Changes to Small Blacks rugby including 10 aside for U11s and future changes that are coming. * And more… IntaSport App And now to highlight a key partner of The Coaching Gig -  IntaSport. IntaSport have created the coaching App to help the volunteer coaches out there survive and thrive. Click HERE [https://www.intasport.org/]to download it.

Episode 19: Sean Graham

This yarn with Sean Graham is a great listen for leaders in the youth sports arena seeking innovative strategies to captivate and involve young athletes in the world of sports. Sean is Director of Rugby at St Joseph’s Nudgee College in Queensland, Australia. Picture this: 800 boys, 40 teams, and 100 coaches—talk about a big scale rugby operation! Sean oversees the programme, breathing fun, connection and development for everyone.  Sean’s has also masterminded the Youth Rugby Coaches Forum, an annual event (mark your calendars for January 19th and 20th, 2024) aimed at supercharging the youth game. What started as a spark of an idea has now become a gathering of 250 rugby coaches, and a swag of presenters, all set on making the game stronger. We talk about: * The joys and challenges of leading a programme of this scale * How Nudgee manages to engage so many teenage rugby players * The Youth Rugby Coaches Forum * And more… Cheers Grimley Here is a LINK [https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1134314]to Youth Rugby Coaching Forum IntaSport App And now to highlight a key partner of The Coaching Gig -  IntaSport. IntaSport have created the coaching App to help the volunteer coaches out there survive and thrive. Click HERE [https://www.intasport.org/]to download.

Episode 18: Ray Everest

Ray Everest served as the Weightlifting coach for New Zealand at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, transitioning into the sport after falling into it while living in Doha. A former school teacher turned principal at the age of 26, Ray and his wife Courtney, established the Future Focus Early Childhood Centre, which has now expanded to 5 Centres, employing approximately 80 staff in the Papamoa region.  Connecting with Ray is always a pleasure due to his remarkable growth mindset. As a deep thinker, avid learner, and profoundly reflective individual, he consistently rides the growth train. Ray's insights are valuable for both coaches and individuals in the business world, showcasing how he has successfully applied his learning to excel in sports, business, and family life. All while being a hardcore Warriors fan throughout – Up the Wahs. We discussed:  * Weightlifting coaching – navigating the path in a new sport, the coach's role, and the dynamics of individual versus team sports. * Setting people up to cope * Starting a business and scaling it – getting big but staying small.  * Leadership – guiding people through the journey, adapting, and fostering personal and collective growth. * And more… “Does our environment reflect out aspiration?” IntaSport App And now to highlight a key partner of The Coaching Gig -  IntaSport. IntaSport have created the FREE coaching App to help the volunteer coaches out there survive and thrive. Click HERE [https://www.intasport.org/]to download it for FREE.

Episode 17: Kane Jury

Kane Jury serves as the Talent Development Manager at the Highlanders Super Rugby franchise, where he is responsible for overseeing talent identification, recruitment, and the development of the academy program. Additionally, he recently completed his second year as the head coach of the NZ Secondary Schools Boys rugby team. Prior to this, he coached various teams, including the Fiji Men’s 7s, Black Ferns Development 7s, and Otago Spirit, among others. Kane also gained experience in club rugby and held positions as Director of Rugby and Sports Coordinator at Kings High School in Dunedin. My connection with Kane dates back to our time as Scarfies in the early 2000s, and more recently, we reconnected in the coach development space, particularly in rugby 7s. Kane exhibits a deep passion for the development of young individuals and is committed to providing enriching experiences for aspiring athletes. Reconnecting with Kane was a pleasure, and our conversation delved into various topics related to the post-school space. We discussed: * His responsibilities at the Highlanders. * Insights and lessons from his two-year tenure in the NZSS role, with a focus on bringing themes to life. * His experiences coaching the Fijian Men’s 7s team, including some noteworthy anecdotes. * And more. IntaSport App And now to highlight a key partner of The Coaching Gig -  IntaSport. IntaSport have created the FREE coaching App to help the volunteer coaches out there survive and thrive. Click HERE [https://www.intasport.org/]to download it for FREE.