Red Roses pair selected for coaching programme
Two Red Roses legends have been selected for UK Coaching’s Women into High Performance Programme for the 2019/20 season.
Amy Turner [RFU Professional Pathway Officer and Women’s Performance pathway coach] and Rocky Clark [Saracens Women’s forwards and skills coach and Head of Diploma in Sporting Excellence and Bucks County Women's Head Coach] were identified by the RFU as being eligible to apply for the signature programme, which supports female coaches who have the potential to transition into high-performance coaching.
The duo, along with 13 other coaches across seven sports will now come together for a total of four seminars to develop their skills, behaviours and knowledge to thrive and flourish within the high-performance environment.
The coaches will specifically engage in facilitated peer coaching, including ‘buddying up’ with coaches from other sports and larger group work.
These elements will enable them to share practice, reflect on experiences, develop a greater understanding of their issues and challenges and identify strategies and tactics to overcome them.
In July 2018, Clark retired having made the most England appearances of any male and female player with 137 caps to her name.
She said: “I feel very privileged to be selected on the UK Coaching Women into High Performance programme.
“I am excited about the prospect of developing my coaching at the elite level of rugby.
“Having competed at the top level, I now want to coach at the highest level.
“I feel this programme will further develop my coaching journey.”
Turner also called time on her prestigious playing career last year and took up a coaching role with Harlequins before moving to her current Twickenham post.
Turner added: “My time at the RFU so far has been a massive learning journey and I’ve enjoyed working with the players.
“To be selected and work with likeminded people on the coaching programme is a real honour.
“It provides an opportunity to share ideas and learn from other sports.
“I played with Rocky for years and have a huge amount of respect for her coaching experience.
“What’s more, the programme allows Rocky and I to meet and work with female coaches across various disciplines which is a really exciting prospect.”
RFU Head of Women’s Performance Nicky Ponsford commented: “We’re really pleased to see both Amy and Rocky selected.
“Both made a huge contribution to England during their playing days and have already made big strides in their coaching careers.
“They are both fully deserving of this opportunity and we look forward to seeing them flourish in their respective roles.”
