QBE’s sponsorship of coach education in England links it closely to the Rugby World Cup and delivers on a number of important levels for the firm and the sport.
The QBE Coaching Club, in partnership with business insurance specialist QBE will see the recruitment and training of 2,015 coaches to level two standard.
This is the point at which a coach can step up from helping out in a session to taking a group of players themself, and bring on other coaches.  It is a key stepping stone in providing the required standard of tuition and player development at grass roots.
[ismember]The course will deliver coaches who can understand the ethical coaching process, the needs of the player and related issues in sports science; Plan, conduct and evaluate a series of rugby union coaching sessions in a systematic and progressive manner; Coach the scrummage, line-out, back-play, defence, continuity & counter-attack; Promote and establish positive working relationships and high standards of behaviour; Ensure the health and safety of players; Demonstrate responsibility for their own learning and development; and promote the sport of rugby union in a positive and constructive manner.
The course runs for four days and will seek to attract coaches through each of the regions and across each of the different levels within the game so as to build a consistent standard of coaching throughout the country.
There is already an Irish angle to the course with Conor O’Shea serving as a QBE ambassador in fronting the company involvement.
“Increased investment in grassroots coaching benefits all areas of the game and plays a key role in developing the sport all the way up to the professional level. I am delighted to be involved in such an important project with QBE,” said O’Shea at the launch.
“We want to use the opportunity of a home Rugby World Cup to deliver the greatest participation legacy for the game,” said Steve Grainger, RFU rugby development director
QBE has a deep involvement with English Rugby, sponsoring the Autumn Internationals and as a partner of the English Premiership.  It uses rugby imagery throughout its British website but less so on the Irish version.  The company is headquartered in Australia which is ironic given the sporting rivalry between the nations on the pitch.  In one way that makes it special as a partnership which raises the eyebrows in a positive fashion.
Key take away for Sport: Coach programmes attract the kind of committed individual that will lead and inspire grass roots sport.  That is exactly the core audience which many sponsors in professional services are looking to reach in a positive fashion
Key Take away for Business: Coaching is a key part of the business process and encouraging managers to participate on such courses strengthens and deepens the company relationship with a sport. [/ismember]
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