The March edition of “Rugbycoach” is now available to download from the Coaches Corner.

Ripon Rugby Club is excited to announce the appointment of a new head coach. Simon Middleton, assistant coach at premiership side Leeds Carnegie, will take up his new role with immediate effect. Simon will take charge of senior training on Tuesdays and Thursdays with particular emphasis on first XV preparation.

Simon will continue to manage his commitment at the premiership side also where he has particular responsibility for their defensive structure. You can view Simon’s profile on the Leeds Carnegie website.

This appointment is a very exciting one for Ripon Rugby Club and shows our future intent. It is also a real coup for us at Ripon as Simon proactively chose Ripon over other Yorkshire clubs.

Currently completing his Level 4 coaching award, Simon brings a wealth of coaching experience from the premiership and National 1 levels - he has also enjoyed a distinguished professional playing career and still holds the Leeds record for most tries scored in a league game (it was 5!).

Simon will be at Mallorie park on Thursday evening to meet the senior players and to run his first session so a big turn out is anticipated. There is also a general invitation to all the club’s coaches to come along on the evening and meet Simon.

The latest CPD programme for Yorkshire coaches has been published. These sessions are evening “in service” courses and are usually aimed at coaches post-level 1. However they may be of benefit to any coach regadless of level and age group coached. Full details and application form can be downloaded here.

The latest (February) edition of Rugbycoach Newsletter is now available to download from Coaches Corner.

The coaches forum is on tonight at 7.30pm in the clubhouse.  The agenda is fairly open but will include a review of the new guidelines on discipline in the youth game that have been issued by Yorkshire RFU.  We also need to discuss what direction the forum takes into next season.  All club coaches are invited.

January’s Rugby Coach newsletter is now available to download from the “coaches corner”.

The December Rugby Coach newsletter is now available to download from the Coaches’ Corner.

The latest edition of Rugbycoach newsletter is now available for club coaches to download from the Coaches’ Corner

Thanks to James Parkes of Leeds Carnegie for delivering an excellent front row clinic at Ripon Rugby club tonight. James is a hooker in the current Leeds premiership side and offered valuable insights into the sometimes mysterious world of front row play. The session was well attended by coaches from various clubs/schools; there was also a large contingent of interested players from the University of York St. John. Ripon’s senior and development squads were also well represented, all keen to steal a march on future adversaries!

James concentrated (not surprisingly) on the basics of body and foot position and was keen to stress speed into the gap on engagement. He also provided very practical advice and insights for both loose and tightheads. He did broaden his session to look at the role of the locks and backrows in supporting the front row at scrum time.

The feedback was hugely positive and I know the younger players picked up useful practical tips from James that they are keen to utilise.