The programme will be managed by the Union-designated lead person. The Union will determine in which locations the programme will be implemented and who will be in charge for each location. Ideally, the programme will be managed by trained coaches in each area (Level 1 to 3).

It is important that all coaches and teachers leading the programme in each location have completed the

Rugby Ready programme

and the

Get Into Rugby training course.

Union development strategy

It is important that the programme is delivered as part of an overall participation strategy for the Union to grow and sustain the game in your country.

This development strategy should be completed by the Union led by the Technical Director or Head of Development working with Union volunteers and coaches.

The process should examine the Union philosophy and approach to the Game, how it will grow, what the stages of player development and pathways are in the Union.

This should be aligned to the Union training and education plan, outlining how many coaches and match officials are required to support the Game in your country.

Useful resources are available in the

Downloads section

Player pathways and stages of development

The Get Into Rugby programme should be linked to the Union player development pathway.

How do you ensure that successfully recruited players through Try and Play are retained through the Stay phase?

A step-by-step approach seems to work best and the following is an example that may suit a number of countries:

  1. By having relevant pathways within schools linking to the curriculum and with the support of relevant local clubs. (This could take shape in terms of forming Rugby Academies in schools and/or having Rugby as part of the curriculum).
  2. If there are no relevant sports or Rugby specific clubs within an acceptable radius of the school(s) and or community programme(s), then you need to establish Stay programmes within the school(s) and assist your regional district with club establishment/development programmes
  3. Ensure that there are links between the clubs/organisations and your Union's competition model.
  4. Ensure that your Union is anticipating the growth of the GIR programme in terms of resources, both locally and nationally.
  5. If part of the challenge is that there are not enough relevantly educated coaches and/or match officials to support the growth of the GIR programme, then ensure that the district or region is aware of the support that can be given by your Union’s Educational Development Plan for coaches and match officials.