The RFL are preparing to launch a new Player-to-Coach programme which is aimed at helping current players take their first steps on the path to future coaching roles.

The programme aims to identify 10 current British players and gradually initiate them into the coaching scene by getting them involved with the English Academy and junior sides. The programme aims to build on the coaching success seen this season, with a home grown National Head coach in Steve McNamara and the much respected John Kear joining the very elite of English coaching after enrolling for a Level 4 coaching qualification.

Martin Crick, the RFL’s National Coach Development Manager, said, “It’s a very exciting time to be involved with coaching.

“We’ve got a lot of top quality British coaches involved within the game already and we are doing everything we can to help every British coach progress and develop and it is our long term goal to set a minimum benchmark of a Level 3 coaching grade for all coaches involved with Super League clubs. 

“We know how important it is to have British coaches involved with British clubs and it is our task to help ensure that we can develop as many first class coaches as we can who can apply for the top jobs and hopefully help drive the sports standards from grass roots all the way through to the elite levels.”

With an increasing number of overseas coaches getting the top jobs at Super League clubs in recent years, questions have been asked about the development of British coaches, but with the likes of Richard Agar and Brian Noble once again showing their class at Hull FC and Crusaders and McNamara about to embark on a Four Nations trip, it appears that the British system is reaping the benefits.

“The majority of overseas coaches have been very good for our game in this country make no mistakes about that,” said England head coach Steve McNamara. “But there are also some very good English coaches involved within the game.

“There is also a new breed of English coach coming through the system and I expect to see some very good, astute English coaches emerge in the coming years. The RFL need to continue to work hard at the system to assist those English coaches along the way and provide the support mechanisms required.”

The RFL have been working hard at those support systems and the benefits have been witnessed this season with big names such as Jamie Peacock, Kevin Sinfield, Keith Senior, Rob Burrow and Adrian Morley all attending RFL professional player coaching courses and gaining Level 2 coaching awards. The RFL hope these courses will encourage some of Britain’s current stars to get involved and take the next generation onto a new level.