When Bob McKillop, my former coach, agreed to sit down with me, I knew we were about to embark on a discussion that would transcend the boundaries of rugby. Enjoy the show! 0:03 Player Coaching 6:35 Challenges and Success in Coaching 11:06 The Importance of Communication in Leadership 17:41 Effective Coaching Through Collaboration and Communication 23:53 Navigating Coaching Career Authenticity 31:05 Coaching the Scotland Under 20 Team 42:02 Building Authenticity and Trust in Coaching 45:46 Coaching and Communication in Rugby 51:52 Career Progression in Coaching Rugby 55:11 Embracing Leadershi ..read more

This episode is with Stephen Dowse, Director of Rugby at Hong Kong Football Club. He opens up about nurturing talent across all levels, aligning multiple teams under the club's ethos, and cultivating a culture where elite and community players thrive side by side. Authenticity and credibility lie at the heart of our conversation, as we dissect the evolution of coaching styles and the importance of trust in mentoring athletes. It's not just about managing teams but about guiding them through strategic planning and skill development, as well as embracing the personal growth that comes with the ..read more

Ever wondered how a nation forges its way from the ranks of tier-two rugby to the pinnacle of tier-one? That's exactly what we're unpacking with Rama Chand, the Georgian Rugby Union's Director of Rugby Development. Through an enlightening dialogue, we reflect on his international journey and dissect the strategic endeavors propelling Georgian rugby forward. Rama Chand sheds light on the pivotal role played by the Black Lion franchise team in cultivating local talent and the broader implications of bolstering a strong rugby ecosystem through dedicated coach and referee development. Straddling ..read more

In this episode, I am joined by Richie Williams, Director of Rugby at Cambridge Rugby Club in England. Richie has coached across Europe and shares great wisdom from the lessons that he has learned.  As we unpack the complexities of leading a club like Cambridge Rugby, Richie imparts the lessons carved from both sweet victories and the sting of defeat. He shares a refreshing perspective on collaboration and communication, and how these pillars of teamwork are instrumental in navigating the delicate balance between asserting authority and encouraging player-driven initiatives. It's a behin ..read more

Unlock the secrets to transformative coaching with Riki Tahere, who charts a course from the culinary arts to spearheading rugby talent growth at Canterbury Rugby Union. Our discussion reveals the surprising parallels between a chef's precision and a rugby coach’s strategic acumen. We share a feast of ideas, from the importance of creating a memorable player experience to the evolution of coaching styles that now favor collaboration and empowerment over rigid direction. This episode navigates the challenges and nuances of coaching, with reflections on transitions, accountability, and the cont ..read more

Luke is a Welsh coach who is now living in America and has a wealth of experience in both rugby and S&C coaching. Luke began his rugby coaching career after gaining his BSc in Exercise Science and eventually coached for the WRU.  Following this, he changed his focus and moved to America to achieve a master's degree in Strength and conditioning, where he has since coached elite level athletes in multiple sports such as the UFC’s Dustin Poitier. Luke has recently returned to coaching rugby while utilizing his S&C background in prestigious American colleges like Penn State Universit ..read more

On this Rugby Wisdom Podcast, I am joined by one of the most iconic rugby players the game has ever seen, David 'Campo' Campese. Campo is very engaging and insightful as we discuss the state of the game both within Australia and World Rugby in general. David Campese 11 Academyhttps://davidcampese.com The David Campese 15’’s & 7’s Rugby Academy is a unique – offering of coaching programs for both players (girls and boys) and coaches in both codes of Rugby Union – 15’s and 7’s. David’s vision for his Academy is to always maintain his personal involvement with each individual program/team ..read more

This episode is with Stephen Dowse, Director of Rugby at Hong Kong Football Club. He opens up about nurturing talent across all levels, aligning multiple teams under the club's ethos, and cultivating a culture where elite and community players thrive side by side. Authenticity and credibility lie at the heart of our conversation, as we dissect the evolution of coaching styles and the importance of trust in mentoring athletes. It's not just about managing teams but about guiding them through strategic planning and skill development, as well as embracing the personal growth that comes with the ..read more

Ever wondered how a nation forges its way from the ranks of tier-two rugby to the pinnacle of tier-one? That's exactly what we're unpacking with Rama Chand, the Georgian Rugby Union's Director of Rugby Development. Through an enlightening dialogue, we reflect on his international journey and dissect the strategic endeavors propelling Georgian rugby forward. Rama Chand sheds light on the pivotal role played by the Black Lion franchise team in cultivating local talent and the broader implications of bolstering a strong rugby ecosystem through dedicated coach and referee development. Straddling ..read more

In this episode, I am joined by Richie Williams, Director of Rugby at Cambridge Rugby Club in England. Richie has coached across Europe and shares great wisdom from the lessons that he has learned.  As we unpack the complexities of leading a club like Cambridge Rugby, Richie imparts the lessons carved from both sweet victories and the sting of defeat. He shares a refreshing perspective on collaboration and communication, and how these pillars of teamwork are instrumental in navigating the delicate balance between asserting authority and encouraging player-driven initiatives. It's a behin ..read more