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On Saturday 15th a group of the regions coaches
were brought together for the first Eastern Region Coaching Clinic at Essex
University.
The day got off to a busy start, with the morning featuring talks
from Coach
Matt Roberts (Senior Coach of The Year, Colchester Gladiators), Tom
Blow (Ipswich Cardinals) & Simon Hatcher (Hertfordshire Hurricanes) who
covered defensive concepts, offensive scheme, fundamentals, drilling techniques
as well as practice planning.
After a short lunch break the pace didn't slacken,
with Neil O'Hare (Twice Coach of the Year, Essex Blades) speaking on the
importance of special teams, training methods and fundamentals on Long Snapping.
The scene then changed with Tarquin Stephenson (Colchester Gladiators and Essex
Blades OC) leading an excellent session outside in the sun on Offensive line
drills and techniques especially looking at pass protection. The session was
well received, and once everyone had worked up a sweat it was time to get back
into the comfort of the air conditioned class room!
The day ended with a
terrific talk on marketing by Colchester Gladiators PR and Marketing expert,
Martin Wilmott. Martin who teaches marketing professionally, covered the use of
social media, viral marketing, online streaming and advertising which really hit
the right note with all in attendance, from all codes of football.
All in all the day went really well, with free tea,
coffee and biscuits and excellent facilities supplied by Essex University,
excellent speakers and coaches present from Essex Spartans Youth, Colchester
Gladiators Youth, Canterbury Chargers, Colchester Gladiators, Hertfordshire
Hurricanes, Ipswich Cardinals and ARU Phantoms made for a great mix of
attitudes, approaches and ideas.
On the day Glenn Lindley from the Canterbury
Chargers said:
"Many thanks to Matt and the guys for organising this, was a great day and
learnt a hell of a lot more than I expected too! Can't wait for the next
one."
Dave Barham of the Essex Spartans youth
added:
"Thanks for organising yesterday. I really enjoyed it. Took away some fresh
ways to approach things and nice to see some old friends. Hope you're encouraged
enough to do it again. If so I'll be there and will drag some coaches kicking
and screaming if I have to."
With planning already going ahead for the next
regional session, and hopefully more to follow in other regions BAFCA are really
proud to promote, support and encourage such sessions; to help raise the
standards of coaching, share best practice and encourage communication between
all teams and coaches.
For more information on any upcoming BAFCA events keep an eye on www.bafca.com
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