New England Rugby Coaching Courses – Build Your Coaching for 2026/27
Developing Coaching Practice (DCP)
Who is it for?
Coaches who are new to coaching, early in their journey, or who want to refresh the fundamentals of how to coach.
Key topics include:
- Creating Active, Purposeful, Enjoyable and Safe (A.P.E.S.) sessions
- Using the Principles of Play to give sessions purpose
- Adapting activities using STEP
- Core coaching skills including instruction, demonstration, observation and feedback
- Planning, delivering and reviewing Game Zone activities
Why is it useful?
DCP helps coaches build confidence in planning and delivering safe, engaging and effective sessions for their players.
England Rugby Coaching Award (ERCA)
Who is it for?
Coaches looking to gain the England Rugby Coaching Award and develop their ability to coach safely and effectively within their environment.
The ERCA is now delivered through digital learning followed by one face-to-face day.
Key topics include:
- Coaching Skills and the Interconnected Components
- Safe and effective coaching of the Tackle and Scrum
- Game Zone and Skill Zone practice design
- Introducing, Developing and Stretching players
- Observation, analysis and effective feedback
- Reflective practice and adapting sessions to meet player needs
Why is it useful?
ERCA gives coaches the opportunity to apply their knowledge practically and demonstrate safe and effective coaching practice.
Introduction to Advanced Coaching Practice (IACP)
Who is it for?
Coaches who already hold ERCA/Level 2 and want to continue developing their coaching practice.
Key topics include:
- Your coaching Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours
- Coaching attributes and Tell, Sell, Ask and Delegate coaching styles
- Identifying strengths and development areas in your own coaching
- Planning around problems players are experiencing
- Problem-based and solution-based coaching
- More purposeful Game Zone and Skill Zone design
- Reflecting on the impact of your coaching decisions
Why is it useful?
IACP starts to move beyond simply what you coach and explores why you coach in the way you do, how your practice design influences players and how you can help players become better problem-solvers.
Which course is right for me?
New to coaching or want to refresh the fundamentals? → DCP
Ready to gain the England Rugby Coaching Award? → ERCA
Already ERCA/Level 2 qualified and looking to develop further? → IACP
From there, coaches can continue towards Developing Advanced Coaching Practice (DACP) and the England Rugby Advanced Coaching Award (ERACA).
Upcoming North East Courses
September
- 4 September — ERCA — Gateshead RFC
- 7 September — DCP — Durham City RFC
- 14 September — IACP — Northern FC
- 18 September — DCP — Gosforth RFC
October
- 9 October — DCP — Middlesbrough RUFC
- 11 October — ERCA — Percy Park RFC
- 25 October — IACP — West Hartlepool RFC
November
- 14 November — IACP — Durham City RFC
- 15 November — ERCA — Gosforth RFC
December
- 9 December — DCP — Seaton Carew RUFC
January
- 9 January — DCP — Whitley Bay Rockcliff RFC
- 10 January — DCP — Morpeth RFC
- 15 January — DCP — Gateshead RFC
How do I book?
All courses are accessed through England Rugby Learning.
For DCP, ERCA and IACP, you must first:
- Log in to England Rugby Learning using the details linked to your GMS account.
- Enrol on the relevant course.
- Complete the required digital learning.
- Once the digital learning is complete, the available face-to-face sessions will unlock.
- Select and book the date and venue that works best for you.
New to England Rugby Learning?
Watch the guide on how to join England Rugby Learning
Completed your digital learning and ready to book?
View the guide on how to book a face-to-face course
If you are unsure which course is the right next step for you, or which courses would best support coaches within your club, please get in touch with Ash Smith (ashleysmith@rfu.com) as he will be happy to help.
It would be great to see as many coaches as possible making use of the opportunities available across the North East this season.
