Unity Concord International School Partners with Cobras Rugby Club
The Chiang Mai Cobras Rugby Club welcomed back, World Rugby’s Lever 3 educator, Michael McFarlane over the weekend of 26th & 27th March. Michael was back in town to conduct a World Rugby Level 2 Coaching 15’s Course for participants who had been on the Cobras previous Level 1 course, in November 2021.
The excellent facilities at the Unity Concord International School was the venue for the course. With participant from Thailand, South Africa, UK & USA, there was a buzz of excitement, to be reconnecting and taking their rugby education up another notch. UNITY’s covered multisport gymnasium as well as its natural grass outdoor field were utilized during the theoretically and practical aspects of the coaching disciplines.
Paul Farran from Unity, said “Unity Concord International School (part of the Ambassador Education Group), were delighted to host on its premises in Chiang Mai, the 15’s Level 2 World Rugby Coaching Course for the participants, who came from Bangkok and Chiang Mai to attend this unique event”.
With lots to get through over the two days, both the theory and practical sessions were challenging and asked questions of both, physical and mental attributes. Apart from learning the theory side of the game, each participant had to design a scenario based around the game, then run a 15-minute coaching session for their peers, each day. After each session a peer review gave fellow coaches the opportunity to give feedback before Coach McFarlane gave a professional assessment suggesting areas of improvement and progressions that could be introduced. Mike was always keen to emphasise that as individual coaches they had to develop a style that suited them and their philosophy, of how they want to see the game played.
World Rugby Educator Mike McFarlane enthusiastically said “I’m Thrilled to see the progress of so many coaches who attended the previous Level 1 course last year. They were challenged to be creative and reflect on finer details to ensure sessions were of an excellent standard. Not only was the quality amazing but a lot of fun was had- particularly selecting the Animal World XV”.
Chiang Mai Cobras’ chairman Dave McRitchie said “We are pleased to host another World Rugby Coaching Course and offer continuing rugby education in the North. Mike McFarlane spearheaded the effort as the world Rugby Educator for the Course. This senior level course consisted of in class discussion and on field assessment of both attack and defense patterns of play. Unity Concord International School provided excellent facilities and we are working to secure future usage as a Northern Thailand center of excellence for rugby training and education. Overall, it was a great event that will continue to grow and develop the sport of rugby in Chiang Mai and Thailand”.
Paul Farran, who’s help in organizing the event, was priceless said “The course was successful and we trust the Ambassador Group of schools, as a leading educational organization in the north of Thailand, will thrive and organize more sporting events of this nature. Hosting Cobras Rugby, as well as other sports in the near future, for the benefit of all the educational communities, in the area is one of our stated aims.”
This was a fantastic learning experience, as coaches saw how others approached various issues and how they solved them. Everyone took away something of value including the vastly experienced McFarlane!
We would like to thank Unity Concord International School for the use of their excellent facility and for partnering with Cobras rugby, with the aim of making the school the home of rugby education in the North.
We would like to thank Paul Farran whose hard work before, during & after the course made our job all the easier.
Lastly a big thank you to World Rugby Level 3 educator Mike McFarlane for taking the time to prepare and deliver, an excellent course.
Cobras Rugby will continue to offer World Rugby Courses throughout the year and anyone interested in getting more information on courses or getting into rugby in Chiang Mai contact Dave on chiangmaicobras@gmail.com
