Repaying loyalty is absolutely paramount

Steve Hill puts the questions to Tom Huggins, below, the head coach at Dudley Kingswinford RFC Why did you get into coaching rugby and how did you arrive at your current position?

Sport was massive for me growing up, and more specifically rugby. I studied sports coaching both at college and university so I was pretty determined that was the field I wanted to go into. Dudley Kingswinford RFC is my hometown club, I started as a seven-year-old, and coaching there was always going to be the natural progression after I finished playing for the first team.

What is/was your profession outside of coaching rugby?

I have worked for the RFU since 2009, firstly as a community rugby coach and now as a coach developer in North Midlands. I predominantly deliver CCD/award courses and mentoring other coaches on the advanced award.

How would you describe your style of coaching?

This is an area for me that is continuously developing/changing. I’d like to think that I give the players freedom both in training and on game days, to explore and find the solutions themselves. I think there’s time and place for asking questions/checking for understanding and sometimes players just you to be direct and tell them what you want. The tricky part is knowing who needs which style and when!

What do you find the most challenging aspects of coaching?

It is an all-consuming role. There is rarely a time in the week when you’re not thinking about the previous game or looking ahead to the next game. Trying to mould together and integrate new players into an existing core group has been very challenging over the last 12 months or so.

How do you foster a positive team/club culture?

Firstly, I think it’s crucial that you allow players to be themselves, there are so many different personalities within a team it’s unrealistic to expect everyone to behave in exactly the same way. Secondly you have to provide the players with a purpose for being there, not everybody has to be best mates off the field but provided they’re all fighting for the same goal, the team can still function/ succeed.

So far what would you count as your most significant coaching achievement and why?

That would be gaining promotion to the National League last season with DK. It was only our second season at level 5.

After gaining promotion last season to Level 4 has your coaching style or content had to change in any way?

The use of analysis - having access to the elite hub, provides the opportunity to see the strengths/weaknesses of the opposition coming up. Associated with this is there a requirement for more detail/clarity in the way you want the team to play.

What differences have you found as a coach and what have your players found different being this season

playing at Level 4.

Larger opposition coaching teams, larger opposition playing squads and more use of technology. From a playing perspective, more physicality and more detailed organisation. You have to be much more accurate both sides of the ball.

You have endured a very tough season and now will be relegated to level 5. From a coaching and a club point of view what learnings, if any, are you able to take from this season?

At level 4 your performance has to be much more consistent - we have not managed to do that. Moving forward we have a core group of players that will be staying at the club which we have to build the squad around. Traditionally we’ve always been a club that has transitioned excellent numbers through from the mini and junior sections, this will be a focus over the next two years.

Please name a player(s) who you have really enjoyed coaching/developing and why?

Tom Walker - he’s someone who has been involved in the first team for around five seasons starting is an 18-yearold. I transitioned Tom from a 9/10 to a winger and he has regularly been a top scorer for us during that time. He’s massively coachable and he’s always looking for ways to improve his game.

What two words would your current or previous players use to describe you as a coach and why?

Approachable - I’d like to think that most players I have coached are comfortable enough to share any concerns that may have, both rugby related or off the field issues.

Loyal - I think rewarding/ showing faith in players for their loyalty and commitment is absolutely paramount. I’ve also coached DK for seven seasons through thick and thin, which I think evidences my loyalty to the club

What advice would you give to anyone considering or just starting to get involved in coaching rugby?

Understand the amount of commitment involved in coaching - you cannot dip in and out. Also try to expose yourself to as many different coaches as possible and integrate the bits that resonate with you.