The government body that promotes sport is helping more people to get into rugby coaching.

Isle of Man Sport helped to create a programme in August 2017 for players aged 13 to 17, with Isle of Man Rugby Football Union and former Premiership champions Sale Sharks.

The venture saw the creation of the first island-based ’developing player programme’.

Isle of Man Sport has since strengtehened links with the programme, helping local coaches to access a wider range of expert support than ever before.

Thanks to the tie-in, Isle of Man Sport rugby development officer Chris Brannigan has led a team of seven coaches to spend a day with some of the biggest names in English rugby coaching, at a training session for England under-18s in Leeds.

He said: ’It was an unrivalled opportunity for the Manx coaching contingent.

’The day was packed full of great content and learning points, but the key element was putting their newly-established knowledge into practice and sharing what they learned with coaches here on-island, both through the developing player programme and at club and school level.’

During their visit, the group caught up with Isle of Man Sport Aid recipient Bevan Rodd, who is part of the England playing squad.

Trevor Christian, sport coaching coordinator at Isle of Man Sport, said: ’This sort of initiative is a fine example of what can be done to help coaches to develop their craft.

’Isle of Man Sport is committed to working with governing bodies of sport to help improve the structure and standard of coaching on the island.’

Free coach education sessions organised by the developing player programme on the island, are open to Manx coaches and parents free of charge, throughout the 2017/18 season.

Anyone interested in attending a session should contact Chris at [email protected]