The RFL Performance and Coaching Department has recently successfully staged a coaching Masterclass to share good practice and expertise among Head and Assistant Coaches in the Co-operative National Leagues.

England Head Coach Tony Smith and RFL Coaching Manager Vinny Webb attended the event which took place at the Dewsbury Rams club.

Among the coaches who participated were Batley Bulldogs’ Gary Thornton, Hunslet Hawks’ Graeme Hallas and Keighley Cougars boss Barry Eaton.

A number of other assistant coaches and Player Performance Managers from Co-operative National Leagues were also present at the session.

The Masterclass covered a wide variety of topics including marker play, winning the collision, goal line defence, defensive strategy in all areas of the field and attacking structure.

General coaching and management skills were also studied.

And now many of the participants have hailed the event as a great success.

Keighley’s Barry Eaton said “It was great to spend some time discussing the sport with the national head coach and get his views on various aspects of coaching”, while Batley’s Gary Thornton added, “It was a tremendous event and I would welcome the opportunity to attend similar events in the future”.

Halifax assistant coach Damien Ball also commented, “The Masterclass was highly enjoyable and educational and it opened my eyes to some new concepts”.

After successfully piloting the Coaching Masterclass, the RFL will now seek to stage further events to continue to share the latest and best coaching practice and information with the aim of driving up standards in this area.