Love of the game prompts move to coaching

‘‘It (coaching) is a way of staying involved after my playing days and giving back to the game by developing young people in the game.’’

Mitre 10 Cup coach Dale MacLeod has been playing rugby for over 40 years, starting with coaching junior teams whilst still playing himself.

He has been coaching various teams for 25 plus years and says his love of the game and what it represents prompted him to get into coaching.

‘‘It provides me with development and life skills,’’ says Dale.

‘‘It is a way of staying involved after my playing days and giving back to the game by developing young people in the game.’’

What he finds most rewarding is playing a part in developing players to become better people and seeing the lucky ones who put the work in and go on to play at a higher level.

‘‘I have also built long time friendships with players and managers.’’

Dale finds the most challenging part of coaching is that he doesn’t always have enough time available to do what is required and needs to be delivered.

‘‘Sometimes there just aren’t enough hours in the week.

Being so busy with his coaching role, Dale says he needs to work more on his work/life balance.

‘‘A challenge for me is making more time to spend with family. I tend to get into my work and neglect that part of it.

‘‘That is something I need to Mitre 10 Cup coach Dale MacLeod.

be better at and it is definitely a challenge.

‘‘I am lucky that Kelly is very supportive of what I do and without her support, I wouldn’t be able to do the job I love.’’

Over his years involved in rugby, Dale says the game itself hasn’t really change a lot, however the way he coaches and develops his players has.

‘‘It is important now that you understand their why and you create an environment they enjoy and can express themselves.

‘‘There is a big focus on Performance Review, Performance Readiness and Performance Focus, mental skills and strength and conditioning, play a big part in the game now,’’ says Dale.

For Dale as a coach, personal development is important, with NZR providing good learning and development opportunities as well as support.

‘‘It is important to keep seeking out new learning at every opportunity,’’ he says.

‘‘I have learnt over the years that the best person to help develop and grow you is yourself. Don’t sit back and wait for things to come to you, go and seek your new learnings.

‘‘Having a clear development plan and being patient re your pathway is very important.’’

Dale also looks at other sports and organisations to see how they do things, as he says ‘’the day you think you know everything, is the day you get left behind.’’