- CPD calendar for 2026.
- Supporting coaches to enhance player experiences.
- Connected worked with community foundations.
The Rugby Football League are proud to share the positive news of a revised series of CPD opportunities of coaches that will be accessible throughout the first quarter of 2026. Against the backdrop of the Whole Game Review with one of the key aspirations to raise the number, status, and quality of coaches. The development of a revised coach education structure and reintroduction of coach CPD working closely with community foundations will be the first positive step on this journey.
Chris Spurr, Coach Development Manager stated, “We set out through 2025 to formulate plans and build relationships that can provide coaches a better level of support through the community foundation network. We’ve seen some great work happening in community clubs. We aim to build a workforce of more and better coaches to help to deliver game wide growth. Having a network of CPD opportunities with coaches sharing best practices develops a peer support network that can be guided by key development principles”
The model will see 20 community foundations work closely with the RFL throughout 2026 to support the community game and the coaches within. By committing to provide CPD opportunities locally the game can continue to grow. The offer isn’t exclusive to areas with an active foundation, the new look Coach Development team headed by Chris Spurr and supported by Anthony Atherton and Ellis Pascall will be actively supporting the areas that need more help, with opportunities for London, Midlands, Cumbria and North East already in the diary.
Dave Elliott, Head of Education, added, “In recruiting Ant and Ellis as Coach Development Officers, we gave them a key focus to go out and be visible. They’ve met leagues, foundations, community clubs and coaches to build a network that can support coaches to make progress on their journey. Using foundations to support local coaches helps with a lot of connectivity within the sport too. We’re looking to see pathways opening up and more coaches having better experiences that they can cascade to the payers they work with.”
The centralisation of the offer will see a standardised curriculum available for the game with the same opportunities available throughout the country. The workshops focus on rugby in February with particular concentration on the defensive side of the game, the March delivery will cover player development for long term engagement and finally April is knowledge for the coaches toolkit looking at planning, delivery and reflection – with 20 foundations committed to deliver, the accessibility for coaches has never been as prominent.
Booking on to the CPD evenings will come through the individual community foundations, and we’d encourage any coaches looking to take up the offer to reach out. There will be over 50 workshops delivered throughout February, March and April, coaches that can’t make a particular evening in their town can pick up the same content in neighbouring areas. The work doesn’t stop their though 2027 is also planned out and the team will be visiting community clubs throughout the summer to run focus groups, pick up feedback from the coaches and identify key themes to build into the calendar.
To book – Contact Louise.scarr@barrowrlfc.com