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In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly Podcast, Dan Cottrell sits down with Sam Halliday, a PE teacher and rugby coach working with the Oxfordshire U16 PDG squad and Brackley U14 girls.

Sam shares his insights on building a thriving coaching environment, fostering player ownership, and creating opportunities for girls in rugby.

He discusses the importance of peer-led learning, developing confidence in new players, and how structured yet flexible coaching can lead to lasting engagement. Whether you're coaching grassroots rugby or looking to refine your approach to player development, this episode is packed with practical takeaways.

📢 Listen now and discover:

• How to create an inclusive coaching culture that supports learning and growth
• The role of leadership and peer mentoring in player development
• Practical ways to recruit and retain players in girls' rugby
• The power of ownership in skill progression and confidence building

To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly

Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

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In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly Podcast, Dan Cottrell speaks with Lewis Hatchett—former professional cricketer, mindset coach, and creator of the MindStrong Sport app. They discuss perfectionism in sport, its benefits and drawbacks, and how it affects athletes and coaches.

Lewis shares his personal experiences with perfectionism, explaining how it can drive high performance but also lead to anxiety, self-doubt, and fear of failure. The conversation explores the impact of coaching environments, the role of perceived perfectionism, and how athletes can shift towards "excellencism"—striving for success without the pressure of unrealistic expectations.

Key topics include:

✅ How perfectionism impacts athletes and teams
✅ The psychological cost of chasing flawless performance
✅ Coaching strategies to build confidence, adaptability, and resilience
✅ How to help athletes embrace mistakes as part of growth
✅ Insights from Lewis’ research on coaching, perfectionism, and fear of failure

If you're a coach, athlete, or parent looking to understand the mindset behind elite performance, this episode offers practical advice and research-based insights. Lewis also shares how coaches can contribute to his ongoing research.

📩 Want to connect with Lewis? Find him at MindStrongSport.com or reach out via hello@lewishatchet.com.

To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly

Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

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Raising funds for grassroots rugby can feel like an uphill battle, but Ed Flynn has cracked the code.

In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, host Dan Cottrell sits down with Ed, a coach and fundraising powerhouse, to uncover the strategies that have helped his clubs thrive.

From securing local business sponsorships to running hugely successful raffles and race nights, Ed shares his tried-and-tested methods for generating support, engaging the community, and ensuring clubs have the resources they need to grow.

To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly

Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!