Teamwork driving future Red Roses’ development
Recently at The Home of England Rugby a group assembled to share knowledge and encompass experience from other sports which will help a new generation of Red Roses players. The RFU and TASS (Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme) joint development day brought together support staff from PWR clubs, TASS delivery sites, the RFU, Centres of Excellence and Performance Rugby Colleges.
TASS supports up to 20 RFU female pathway athletes with a range of performance support, such as strength and conditioning, physiotherapy, nutrition, and performance lifestyle. TASS is committed to supporting female rugby players’ long-term development enabling them to progress to the highest level of the sport.
And to help these talented young athletes, a day at Twickenham entitled ‘ Developing the Next Generation of Red Roses’ brought together those who support the development of female rugby players and experts from other sports and organisations to discuss how best to work together for the benefit of all, and gain from other sports specialists working in performance environments.
Those there on the day included support staff from PWR clubs, TASS delivery sites, the RFU, Centres of Excellence and Performance Rugby Colleges.
Workshops were delivered by: Robin Eager – Women’s Rugby Athletic Performance Manager, RFU; Vicky Newbold – Performance Nutritionist, England and GB Hockey; Caroline White – Exercise and Sports Medicine Teaching Lead, Birmingham University; and Ross Shand – BPS Chartered Sport and Exercise Physiologist, England Rugby League and Wheelchair Rugby League.
There was a technical and development panel Q&A featuring Louise Meadows (Red Roses attack coach), James Cooper (U18 Head Coach), LJ Lewis (U20s Head Coach), Don Barrell (Head of Pathways), Joel Brannigan (Head of S&C, TASS) and the speakers from earlier in the day.
Lou Meadows, Red Roses Attack Coach says: “With the current Red Roses squad preparing for a home World Cup in 2025, more and more female players will be considering a future in the sport. That future will only be brighter, and the opportunities provided of better quality through shared expertise across rugby and female athletic performance. This event is a significant step in building that multidisciplinary potential”.
