Ice education logo 1

Beginners’ Rugby Coaching and Refereeing (15-a-side)

with Dan Cottrell

Face to face Beginners

Course Description

Coaching and refereeing school Rugby continues to evolve, with player safety and effective coach education becoming increasingly important. This course is designed for teachers and coaches involved in delivering 15-a-side Rugby, as well as those refereeing school matches and practices. It provides practical guidance on planning effective sessions, developing core techniques and introducing simple, engaging practices that support player progression. The course also addresses the latest tackle requirements and safe approaches to coaching the scrum and contact area. The refereeing element focuses on applying the laws confidently, managing safe and competitive matches, and using effective communication to enhance the experience for players, coaches and spectators. Delegates will leave with greater confidence to deliver and officiate Rugby safely and effectively.

Coaching
  • Coaching the core skills of the modern game
  • Building the skill set for young players
  • Implications of new tackle laws
  • The contact area and ways to practise it
  • Creating a basic backline
  • Safe scrummaging
Refereeing
  • Applying the law in school matches
  • Ensuring safe procedures at scrum and ruck
  • Refereeing the new tackle law
  • Managing the game through communication
  • When and why to blow the whistle – and when not to
  • Coping with the mismatch
  • Creating a positive match environment

Course leaders

Dan Cottrell

Meet your course leader, Dan Cottrell

Dan Cottrell has been coaching rugby in schools, clubs, and at representative level for over 30 years. He is head coach of Bristol Schools U18s, performance coach at Bristol Grammar School and a World Rugby coaching and development consultant. He is editor of Rugby Coach Weekly, which has been running since 2003 and has a worldwide following. Dan played first-class rugby for Bristol and Bath and was director of rugby at Cranleigh.

Booking options

Beginners’ Rugby Coaching and Refereeing (15-a-side)

From £215.10

  • Thursday 19th November 2026

    Trinity School, Croydon

    with Dan Cottrell

Frequently Asked Questions

Related courses

Browse through our selection of similar courses.

View all courses
Refereeing School Rugby webinar
Umpiring

Refereeing School Rugby webinar

Many teachers and coaches are required to officiate school matches, often in front of audiences of parents.  Rugby is probably the most complex and demanding school game to referee. This course aims to support coaches of limited experience, and to build confidence that they can establish a safe

With Dan Cottrell

From £76.50 per person
View Details
Coaching A Dynamic Attack And The Role Of The Number 10
Intermediate

Coaching A Dynamic Attack And The Role Of The Number 10

This is a unique, one off Zoom webinar that illustrates what a modern, effective and dangerous attack looks like in rugby union. Through discussion and video analysis, George will focus on the main coaching priorities that are fundamentals to coaching a structured and calculated attack. Additio

With George Ford

From £76.50 per person
View Details
Coaching and Refereeing Age Grade Rugby webinar: Under 9 to under 12
Junior

Coaching and Refereeing Age Grade Rugby webinar: Under 9 to under 12

This is a specialist course for teachers in the prep sector, who are involved in coaching Rugby under the developmental framework of rules (previously known as New Rules of Play). It will explain how these Rules develop at each age group, and the implications for refereeing school matches at va

With Dan Cottrell

From £76.50 per person
View Details
Beginners Rugby Coaching Webinar
Beginners

Beginners Rugby Coaching Webinar

This is a course for teachers involved in delivering rugby coaching, and refereeing matches and practices for the first time. It will also provide a refresher for teachers wishing to update their coaching. It focuses on the practicalities of organising a coaching session, and introduces a range

With Dan Cottrell

From £76.50 per person
View Details
National Conference for Heads of Rugby in Prep Schools

National Conference for Heads of Rugby in Prep Schools

Welcome to the UK’s biggest meeting of Heads of Rugby in Prep Schools. This is presented in association with RFU, which enables it to be held at the national stadium. This is an annual opportunity to understand and influence initiatives and developments which will impact the game in the 9-13 ag

From £99.00 per person
View Details
Coaching and Refereeing Age Grade Rugby (Under 9 to Under 12)
Junior

Coaching and Refereeing Age Grade Rugby (Under 9 to Under 12)

This specialist course is designed for Prep school teachers involved in coaching Age Grade Rugby, from the introduction of contact skills at Under 9 through to the Under 12 game. It provides a clear understanding of how the laws and expectations develop across each age group, together with guid

With Dan Cottrell

From £215.10 per person
View Details

We are pleased to be working with the following partners