Rugby Coach Weekly
Dan Cottrell and guests discuss all the hot topics in grass roots rugby coaching from managing concussion to dealing with parents.
Episodes
In this episode, Dan sits down with India Perris-Redding, one of the driving forces behind women and girls’ rugby in the North of England. Over nearly seven years with Sale Sharks Foundation, India has shaped a transformational pathway for girls’ rugby, from primary school beginners to academy-level athletes.
India shares the story behind Girls Tackle Rugby, the groundbreaking programme she built from scratch to bridge...
In this Rugby Coach Weekly episode, Dan Cottrell sits down with Benny Williams, one of the leading voices shaping the girls’ and women’s game in England. As the Girls’ PDG Coach Lead for England Rugby, Benny oversees the national U18s curriculum, supports coach development, and helps identify the next generation of Red Roses.
Benny takes us inside the newly designed U16 and U18 curriculums, explaining how the RFU built...
Head coach Dan Cottrell is joined by Russell McClusky and Phil Greenaway for a lively, practical chat drawn from years across schools, clubs, and university rugby.
As hosts of the Little and Large Podcast, they bring a wealth of experience from their times as directors of sport and heads of games.
They tackle how to handle one-sided school fixtures without punishing your best players, why the referee’s feel for the gam...
How much talking is too much? In this episode, Dan Cottrell and Stuart James explore how coaches can make every word count. From the power of the short, purposeful chat to the art of explaining the how, what, and why in under a minute, they share practical ways to sharpen communication and boost player engagement.
Discover why the best sessions often start with fewer words, clearer intent, and more playing time — and h...
In this episode of The 50:22 Podcast, Dan Cottrell and Stu James explore why focusing on perfect technique can hold players back.
Instead of trying to tick off isolated skills, they discuss how layering, context, and repetition help players understand what to do and when to do it.
The aim is to move from drills to decisions, from repetition to recognition.
Learn how to guide players toward real game sense and long-ter...
In this episode of the 50:22 Podcast, Dan Cottrell and Stuart James explore how to use stress as a coaching tool, not through shouting but through smart, purposeful challenge. Discover how the right kind of pressure helps players build resilience, sharpen decision-making, and raise their own standards. Learn simple ways to add competition, intensity, and mindset training into your sessions without losing calm, connect...
Ben Herring returns to the Rugby Coach Weekly Podcast to dive deeper into what he’s learned from speaking to some of the world’s top coaches. Drawing on his global coaching journey and his Coaching Culture podcast, Ben shares why grassroots rugby should focus on high care rather than high performance, why the 80% basics matter more than the 1% details, and how resilience and leadership can be actively coached.
This epi...
In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly Podcast, Dan Cottrell speaks with Neil Davies – Yorkshire Chair of Coach Development, Director of Rugby at Doncaster Demons, and Lead for the South Yorkshire Girls PDG.
Neil shares their unique approach to talent identification, explaining how Yorkshire’s "Roses" model builds on the STAR framework to assess skills, resilience, and receptiveness in young players. He d...
In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, Dan Cottrell sits down with Owain Roberts, Coach Education and Development Manager at the NSW Waratahs and a Level 4 coach. Originally from Swansea, Owain’s journey has taken him from Welsh-speaking schools and UK teaching to the heart of Australian rugby.
Together, they explore:
- How formative school and community experiences shaped his approach to coaching
- Why humil...
In this episode, Dan sits down with Will James, Director of Sport at Ampleforth College, former Wales international, and ex-Gloucester star, to explore the realities of schools rugby.
They tackle big topics, from the health of the game in the North East and the impact of concussion awareness, to balancing school–club relationships, the role of streaming in player development, and the thorny issue of scholarships.
Will...
In this episode of the 50:22 Podcast, Dan Cottrell and Stu James explore why great coaching starts with preparing yourself, not just your session plan.
Stu leads the discussion, drawing on his expertise in different workplace environments to inform his thinking on training day scenarios.
From setting the right mindset to creating simple reset tools when things go off track, learn how to arrive confident, stay adaptable...
What if your most impactful assistant coach is already on the sideline, holding a coffee and watching their child?
In this episode, Dan Cottrell and Stu James reframe how coaches can engage parents with purpose. From team emails to ‘parent wranglers’, discover how to create connection, reduce friction and build a shared culture that goes beyond the touchline.
To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to ...
Small-sided games aren’t just chaos—they’re your sharpest coaching tool. In this episode, Dan Cottrell and Stu James explore how to make games more purposeful by designing clear objectives, coaching one behaviour at a time, and helping players make better decisions under pressure. Clear rules. Smart design. Intentional outcomes.
To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly
To find out ...
How You Start Changes Everything
In this 8-minute episode, Dan Cottrell and Stu James dive into the power of the first five minutes of a session. From early wins to playful warm-ups without a ball, discover how to boost energy, build connection and benchmark your plan. Quick, practical and purposeful: start better, coach smarter.
To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Week...
In this powerful episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, Dan Cottrell sits down with Regan Sue, co-founder of Haka Rugby Global, to explore how Maori culture, adaptability, and people-first coaching have helped shape one of the world’s most culturally rich rugby initiatives.
Regan shares stories from over a decade of running 100+ camps across 50 countries, unpacking the deeper meaning behind the haka, the power of ...
In this episode, Dan Cottrell speaks with Leicester Tigers player and Peak Team Performance founder, Tiana Gordon, about the power of soft skills in coaching.
Drawing on her academic background in neuroscience, psychology, and mental health, Tiana shares practical tools to help coaches improve communication, build genuine connections, and regulate their emotions under pressure.
From managing difficult player conversat...
In this episode, Dan Cottrell catches up with the globetrotting coach and former pro player Ben Herring. From being told he was too small for the 1st XV to wrestling with his dad for jackal strength, Ben shares a raw and inspiring journey through rugby, coaching, and personal growth.
Now Director of Rugby at Newington College and host of The Coaching Culture podcast, Ben reflects on how being underestimated shaped his ...
In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, host Dan Cottrell sits down with Dr. Michael Francis Pollin, a leading expert in coach development and coaching behaviours for player learning, development and performance. They dive into the fascinating world of creativity in rugby coaching, challenging traditional perceptions and exploring how creativity is not just a product but a process.
Michael shares insights fr...
In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly Podcast, Dan Cottrell sits down with Charlie Harrison, former professional player for Bath, Bedford, Rotherham and player/coach at Doncaster, ex-Head of Rugby at Marlborough College, and now coach of the U14s at Marlborough.
They discuss the transition from coaching First XV to working with younger players, the importance of game-based learning, and how to develop players beyo...
In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly Podcast, Dan Cottrell sits down with Ben John, better known as The Rugby Trainer, to explore his unique coaching philosophy and the rise of his hugely popular online brand. Ben shares how he transitioned from professional rugby to skill-specific coaching, the impact of his viral content, and the importance of developing core rugby skills through creative and engaging methods.
F...
Popular Podcasts
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com