In your late teens or early twenties? Interested in developing a career coaching rugby? Then contact your local women's or girls' team - because THAT is the place to go!
That is the subliminal message to come out of last week when the four of the country's leading young coaches - all recipients of the RFU's"Young Volunteers Plus" award - were invited to join the England (Men's) U20 side for their pre-match preparation last Tuesday and game against France on Friday (see here for the full report on RFU website).
Three of the four winners work in the female game - including two from Hertfordshire (Joe Randall from Letchworth and Luke Williams from Welwyn - or "Wilham" as the RFU call him...) which, considering the mismatch in the numbers of male and female teams in the country, is pretty unlikely to have happened by chance.
It is more likely to be the case that young coaches are given far more opportunities to take on responsibility and prove themselves - not just a club level but even at county and regional level - than in the more crowded (and, dare on say it, staid) atmosphere of the men's game. After all it is vanishingly unlikely that even the best teenage coach in the country would get to work with a senior mens regional or divisional team (as Joe has this season) or that someone in their early 20s would be a lead coach for any county team (as with Luke).
It is also possible that women's and girls' teams are more appreciative of their coaches efforts, and more willing to put them forward for awards like this.
But whatever the reason, the message is clear - if you want to make a name for yourself as a rugby coach then your quickest way to the top is to pick up the 'phone and contact your nearest women's or girls' team. They're waiting for your call!
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