Glasgow Warriors and SP Energy Networks launch new women’s coaching initiative

22 May 2024

Glasgow Warriors and the club’s official community partner SP Energy Networks have together launched a new Women’s Coaching and Leadership Programme, that will run for at least the next four years.

This programme has been designed to develop the expertise of female grassroots rugby coaches from across Glasgow and the west, regardless of what stage they are at in their coaching journeys.

It offers participants opportunities to grow their tactical knowledge of the game, receive leadership mentoring, and share best practices with their peers to help to widen their skillset.

This is done through a variety of monthly workshops and by utilising the Carver Framework, which is focussed on bringing the best out of coaches through self-reflection and mentoring and the promotion of coaching as a craft, that requires continual improvement.

This month 36 female coaches from 20 rugby clubs and schools -forming the first cohort- took part in the programme’s very first session at Scotstoun Stadium. As well as skills development, a benefit to participating in the programme is that coaches will be considered for Scottish Rugby’s National Female Coaching Support Programme.

Glasgow Warriors will soon be recruiting participants for the second cohort which will begin in September this year.

Proud partnership

SP Energy Networks’ Chief Executive Officer, Vicky Kelsall, said: “We’re proud to partner with Glasgow Warriors and Chris Reid to support the female coaching community in Glasgow and the west with this new initiative.

“The programme combines technical; practical and leadership advice and its objective is to provide each coach with skills that can be applied both on and off the pitch no matter where the individual is on their coaching journey. We continue to support rugby at all levels and ages, so we’re delighted that this now includes coaching staff.”

Glasgow Warriors’ Lead Account Manager, Rachael McConnell, said: “I’m delighted to be able to bring this new coaching initiative to fruition with the support of Game Development Manager, Chris Reid and SP Energy Networks and offer a valuable opportunity for women’s coaches across our community to develop their skills, grow their confidence, and learn from each other through individual and shared experiences.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what impact the relationships that are built in each cohort will have on developing the women’s game in future, and I’m delighted we can support the growth of the game through young aspiring coaches with this initiative.”