Coaching
Coaching activities are common to all rugby playing elements of the club. While the coaching needs vary very considerably from little more than lots of patience and a sense of humour with the Under 8's to superior motivational skills for the senior premier sides, the commitment of coaches is quite as important as that of players.
With eight age divisions in the mini and junior programs, four high school programs and five senior sides, coaching requirements are intensive during the season. To lead the Clan's coaching program the club has hired a coaching coordinator with extensive experience who will develop the kind of coaching team setup the Clan enjoyed in 2009. If you wish to help with this element of Clan Rugby contact Steve Blink.
Our winter and women’s coach is Jimmy Turnbull, a former Scottish centre, who holds a Scottish coaching license and played for and coached with Melrose.
Senior women
The Clanswomen plan on having both a premier and second division sides this year, subject to a success winter recruiting program. The premier league involves province wide fixtures while the second division is limited to northern Alberta fixtures. Playoffs lead to provincial championships at the two levels. Contact the 2010 club captain, Trish Benne, for further information.
Winter indoor training starts in January at the Lions Centre gym and continues weekly until outdoor training is possible in late April. The playing season is from mid May until mid September.
Youth
There are more Clan under the age of 18 playing Junior and Mini Rugby than there are senior members. And there are more teams in the Youth section of the club than the two senior sections.
Rugby training for the Under 8 - mixed, Under 10 - mixed, Under 12 - mixed, Under 15 -Girls and Under 14 Boys and Under 16 - Boys will start in late April on Frisday evenings with games on Saturday mornings. The Under 18 - Girls and Under 18 - Boys will start after the High School rugby season has finished. The Clan hopes to be able to provide coaching support for rugby programs at Archbishop O'Leary, Ross Sheppard, St. Francis Xavier and Jasper Place high schools.
For more information on Junior and Mini programs contact Devin Vanderberg. Also see the Clan's Youth Program brochure. For more information on high school and under 18 programs contact Darren Cunningham.
