Whitgift School look to increase player involvement and provide more opportunities for reflection.
In a desire to solidify player development programmes, Whitgift approached Coach Logic in September 2017 with the intention of uploading video footage of all 1st XV, 2nd XV, u16 and u15 rugby matches and asking individuals to review personal performance.
Whitgift School has a strong rugby tradition at the heart of its sporting ethos and is renowned across the UK as one of the leading sporting schools.
Mr Chris Wilkins, a former London Wasps player and winner of the esteemed RFU ‘Performance Development Coach of the Year’, currently holds the position of Director of Rugby at the school. Eight Whitgift boys are currently enrolled at the Quins Academy and Wilkins is keen for this partnership to keep flourishing.
Both Mr Wilkins, and 1st XV coach Mr Martin are in agreement time pressures are a challenge at such a school. Because of this, Martin asks players to review clips prior to attending rugby training to maximise on-pitch time.
The online access of Coach Logic allows the players crucial time to watch, evaluate and form their opinion in their own time. It’s Mr Martin’s opinion that not enough time is allocated for reflection in modern-day rugby.
Video can be watched as many times as required. Gone are the days when a coach would show a video in the changing rooms and instantly point to a player for them to provide a split-second opinion, especially in an emotive environment with their peers present.
Rugby is a fantastic sport, but development for players takes place at different speeds and ages. It’s Whitgift’s desire to ensure players enjoy their rugby at school and use is to become better all-round people.
Their use of Coach Logic and the environment placed around the rugby programme creates thinkers and students of the game, that will far out-last their teachers’ time between the school walls.
From our year of supporting Whitgift, we have no doubt they are firmly on track to be better than yesterday and continue their development for the betterment of tomorrow.
Getting players involved in the analysis process is very valuable – it’s the ability for players to get vital time and opportunities to reflect. It is very much part of the player development model we’re evolving at Whitgift. The best part of Coach Logic is players being allowed to create posts and tags. It gives us coaches an insight to what our players are thinking and analysing with open discussions. It allows us to plot individual player understanding and therefore set appropriate level sessions and problem-solving tasks.
Mr Eugene Martin
Rugby Development Manager
Whitgift School
