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Schmidt Addresses IRFU Technical Staff Conference

Schmidt Addresses IRFU Technical Staff Conference

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt was one of the keynote speakers at the annual IRFU Technical Staff Conference.

The Men’s and Women’s RBS 6 Nations Championship trophies were present as 80 participants from elite player development and domestic rugby development attended the two-day annual conference at the Castleknock Hotel.

IRFU President Louis Magee opened the conference, acknowledging the work ‘on the ground’ and congratulating all on their contribution to Irish rugby.

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Key-note speakers included David Nucifora on the IRFU High Performance vision and Anthony Eddy on the Ireland Sevens programme.

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt gave an in-depth and interesting RBS 6 Nations review as well as previewing the pathway to the Rugby World Cup and the work involved in preparing for it.

Colin McEntee spoke about technical trends in rugby and the challenges from age-grade representative analysis.

Ireland Women’s out-half Nora Stapleton  took delegates through the IRFU Long-Term Development Model for Women’s rugby and Steve Aboud presented on linking first phase attack with general movement.

Two invited speakers added an extra flavour to the events, Gary Keegan (Director, High Performance Management – Irish Institute of Sport) and Morgan Buckley (World Rugby – General Manager Development).

Workshops and practical sessions were distributed throughout the two days and facilitated by Development Managers and Officers from the IRFU provincial branches.

Steve Aboud, head of technical direction for the IRFU, commented: “This unique annual event provides us with the opportunity to reinforce aspects of national technical direction and share programme experiences while the informal interaction allows us to foster and build relationships with technical staff from all areas of the game.

“The IRFU Technical Model provides a common reference point for coach and player development models and the people tasked with implementing these programmmes in Irish rugby.”

For more on the IRFU Technical Model, click here.