Page 24 - Unity Project

Czech Republic Spain

Main aim of the project Main aim of the project
In the Czech Republic the main aims were to improve the number and quality of coaches and referees and improve the governance The Spanish project had seven objectives: the creation of a player pathway,
of their rugby clubs. coach development, referee development, developing volunteers, implementing
club accreditation and introducing tag rugby. This was an ambitious list but
The partnership decided that the most effective way of delivering these aims was to host a large Festival of Rugby. For the first time through hard work and perseverance a great deal has been achieved.
ever, every club from across the Czech Republic came together and took part in the festival. Over the three days more than 140 coaches
received training or mentoring, with a focus on coaching children and preparing them for the contact game. Sessions were also delivered Working with the Newcastle Falcons, a player development pathway is now
on recruiting, training and retaining volunteers, clubs structures and coach education. After the festival the clubs went away enthused and in place and there is continued support from Northumberland Rugby Union,
with the project’s support two new Coach Educators are now in place at the Czech Rugby Union so that the work started at the festival Newcastle Falcons and Newcastle’s two universities to improve and refine the
can continue. pathway. Through the creation and implementation of the player pathway the
project has also been developing Spain’s coaches.
Matt Elwell, North Midlands RFU
Another on-going project is the creation of a referee assessment, monitoring
What did you find most valuable about being involved in the Unity Project? and coaching programme. As part of this project the Northumberland Referees
‘The most valuable part of this project was having the opportunity to make a genuine difference at grassroots level in Society has been linked with Andalucía and the Durham Referee Society with
another country. To share experiences with rugby volunteers from another country was a truly amazing opportunity’. Catalan and it is these links that will ensure information continues to
be shared.

Pavel Myšák, General Secretary Czech Rugby Union

Do you think the Unity Project will have a lasting legacy in the Czech Republic?
‘Yes, sure the impact of the project will be lasting. At the beginning of the project, when the opening conference was
held in Prague, a number of people from the clubs got involved in the project and those people are now continuously
active in the Union’s activities’.