Monday 27th February 7pm - Hauraki North Rugby Club

 

Wednesday 7th March 7pm - Thames Rugby Club

 

Wednesday 14th March 7pm - Coromandel Rugby Club

 

Monday 19th March 7pm - Waihi Athletic Rugby Club

 

Wednesday 21st March 7pm - Waihou Rugby Club

This is a series of introductory modules that emphasise creating an environment of skill-development and fun. User-friendly coach’s handbooks and coaching resources are issued free to all coaches who attend the course.

There are 3 Small Blacks grade levels

·         Beginning Rugby (for Rippa and 9^th Grade)

·         Learning Rugby (for 7^th and 8^th Grade)

·         Playing Rugby (for 5^th and 6^th Grade)

It is compulsory for all coaches and assistant coaches of youth teams within the Thames Valley Province to have an NZRU Small Blacks Accreditation applicable to the grade level they will be coaching every year. It is also recommended that Team Managers attend these as well so that at least 2 of the management team are accredited to cover any absences on match day.
To gain the required Small Blacks accreditation:

NEW coaches and assistant coaches must attend a

·         Coaching Small Blacks Module (‘Survival Guide’ – Theory)

·         Small Blacks Beginning Rugby, Learning Rugby or Playing Rugby Module (Practical)

ALL Small Blacks Coaches and assistant coaches must attend a

·         Small Blacks Beginning Rugby, Learning Rugby or Playing Rugby Module (practical) applicable to the grade they are coaching every year.

The Small Blacks Beginning Rugby, Learning Rugby or Playing Rugby Module (practical) is valid for only ONE year. The accreditation certifies a coach to coach a specific Small Blacks grade level and qualifies them with Rugby Smart Principles and Small Blacks Rugby Refereeing for that level during the validation period.

If a coach moves up or down a grade level, at any given time, they will be required to attend the Small Blacks Beginning Learning and Playing Rugby Module applicable to the new level they will be coaching. Similarly – if a coach coaches more then one team and each team is in a different grade level, the coach is required to attend a separate Small Blacks Beginning Learning and Playing Rugby Module for each grade level.

2.    Small Blacks Accreditation

Coaches who have attended and completed the requirements of the Small Balcks modules will be awarded a NZRU Small Black accreditation card.

3.     Small Black Module Outcomes

The modules cover topics that will give coaches the knowledge and skills required to coach at their particular level. At the conclusion of these modules coaches will be able to understand the role of an effective coach and the code of conduct that are expected in rugby, apply the principles of play to rugby as a method of understanding the game, plan and run an effective rugby practice, and understand the basic principles of refereeing a game of rugby.

The 29-year-old Paeroa College teacher is still in his first year of refereeing rugby but is being widely picked for big things.

This season he gained the rank of top whistler in the Thames Valley and has now been picked for the 2012 New Zealand Rugby Union Referee Academy. He is one of only two new entrants into the academy, and one of an elite eight to be part of it in 2012.

Williams, proudly Paeroa born and bred, said to get into the academy he had to go through a stringent interview process.

``Some people go through the interview process year after year and don't get in so to get in in my first year in rugby refereeing is pleasing. It puts me at a level where they see me going further nationally and internationally,'' he said.

 Previously the top-ranked touch referee in the world, Williams made the switch to rugby because he didn't have much left to achieve in touch and could see rugby as a career path.

``There's more money in rugby,'' he said bluntly. ``I also saw this as a way of getting to go around the world for free.''

It is a game he knows well, having played all his life, only hanging up his boots last season.

``I gave up playing because there were more opportunities in reffing. Plus, I don't like tackling,'' he said with a smile.

Williams said he expected resistance from the other referees in the Thames Valley to a young upstart coming in and taking the number one spot but that had been far from the case.

``The other refs have been so encouraging. Everyone's been really helpful and supportive.''

He and another first-year referee, John Dustow, train together and push each other to improve all the time. Dustow was also rewarded this season by being selected to officiate in the Heartland Championship finals, the only Thames Valley referee to get that honour.

Being in the Referee Academy means continuing high performance coaching for Williams and the other members throughout  the 2012 season. This will cover the psychological side of the game as well as the technical.

So what does he think makes him a good referee?

``Apart from fitness and speed, I'd say my confidence and my composure. And my love and understanding of the game.''

It also helps to be thick-skinned.

``Oh yeah, 100 per cent. You can't take to heart what is being said out there.''

Williams isn't restricting himself to the 15-man game  over the coming weeks he is refereeing on the national sevens circuit and hopes to be part of the national tournament in Queenstown in early January.

Longer-term goals include refereeing at ITM Cup and Super Rugby level and getting onto the IRB World Sevens circuit.

Miah Williams has been recognised for his rapid rise up the referees ranks by being selected as one of only 8 referees in NZ for the 2012 - 2013 New Zealand Rugby Unions Referees Academy. Congratulations Miah from all in Thames Valley.

Thames Valley Secondary Schools Rugby - 2011 Presents

Trial Game: Possible vs. Probable

Venue: Rhodes Park, Thames

Date: 24th August, Wednesday

Time: 6:30pm til 8:30pm

All Nominations: are expected to trial unless previously arranged

You will need:

1. Mouth Guard/Strapped
2. Change of clothes
3. Your email/ph number etc
    and any other details for the manager

Team will be named at the games completion

Coach: Erik van Jaarsveld, ph 07 8647843, mob 021 02431042,
email support@tairuapc.co.nz

Manager: Dianne Scott, ph 07 8688913, mob 027 6925913,
email fivescotts@xtra.co.nz