McGeechan Hosts Ulster Coaching Seminar
As part of a visit to Ravenhill last week to promote his new autobiography, 2009 British & Irish Lions head coach Ian McGeechan held a seminar for the coaches and managers involved in Ulster’s age-grade representative teams as well as coaches from the Under16 and Under-17 Regional Development squads.
The seminar focused on the development of teams, with particular reference to Ian McGeechan’s own personal experience in putting together the Lions team for their Test matches against South Africa last summer.
The presentation contained both technical coaching content as well as practical examples of the work that goes on behind the scenes when developing and preparing a team for a match.
In what proved to be a very informative and entertaining presentation for all who attended, Ian emphasised throughout the importance of getting players, even at elite level, to concentrate on their basic skills.
He even shared a few amusing moments from the Lions tour which proved popular with the audience!
Prior to Ian’s slightly later than planned arrival due to technical difficulties with his flight, Ulster’s current head coach Brian McLaughlin and former Ulster captain Andy Ward conducted an impromptu question and answer session about the 2009/10 season to date, as well as discussing some coaching issues raised.
Staff from the Ulster Branch of the IRFU were very impressed by the large turnout on the evening, and hope that coaches will be able to draw on the experience and knowledge of the ‘Lion Man’, when returning to coaching their respective teams.
A voluntary donation by the coaches in attendance resulted in over £100 being donated to the Wooden Spoon Charity.