Crest-sponsored rugby programme ramps up
Coaching sessions in Queenstown and Arrowtown took place against a scenic mountain backdrop.
CrestClean’s community programme to boost junior rugby has taken off as ex-Highlanders player John Leslie prepares to deliver the next round of his unique training sessions.
John, a former Scotland international, is touring the country visiting rugby clubs and local parks with a new series of free workshops for volunteer rugby coaches throughout New Zealand.
This year John, who runs LeslieRugby, has totally overhauled his training methods. He’s worked on a new coaching programme with his close friend Tony Brown, a former Highlanders Coach who led them to their Super Rugby Championship in 2015 who now coaches Japan’s national rugby team.
Participants at each session are given a handy lanyard that contains details of how to download John’s new free 39-page Junior Coaching Programme.
“People really liked the lanyards,” says John. “They thought they were really cool and very useful to be able to download the training programme.”
Coaching sessions have been popular in Auckland and Southland. The next places inline to receive them are areas that have a strong rugby tradition. “I’m looking for a bumper turnout in Wellington, Taranaki and Wanganui,” says John.
“This next trip will pump up as there are some really good fans in these areas. Because I don’t get to these place very often it means my visit will be all the more special for them.”
Youngsters get going during the Dunedin coaching session at Southern RFC, Bathgate Park.
John Leslie oversees a session at Dunedin.
A team talk before training gets under way at the Queenstown and Arrowtown. coaching sessions.
Catch one of John’s training sessions for volunteer rugby coaches. They are totally free. Here’s a list of his next workshops:
Saturday – 7th April – Wellington Coaching Workshop
Time: 9.30am
Venue: Marist St Pats Rugby Club
Location: Evans Bay Park, Kilbirnie
Saturday – 7th April – Porirua Coaching Workshop
Time: 12.00pm
Venue: Norths Rugby Club
Location: 100 Mungavin Ave, Porirua
Sunday – 8th April – Upper Hutt Coaching Workshop
Time: 9.30am
Venue: Upper Hutt Rugby Club
Location: 3 Railway Ave, Maidstone Park, Upper Hutt
Sunday – 8th April – Waikanae Coaching Workshop
Time: 12.00pm
Venue: Waikanae Junior Rugby Club
Location: Waikanae Park
Sunday – 8th April – Otaki Coaching Workshop
Time: 2.00pm
Venue: Rahui Rugby Club
Location: Otaki Domain Jim Spiers Lane, Otaki
Sunday – 8th April – Shannon Coaching Workshop
Time: 4.00pm
Venue: Shannon rugby club
Location: 40 Stout St, Shannon 4821
Monday – 9th April – New Plymouth Coaching Workshop 1
Time: 10.30am
Venue: Francis Douglas Memorial College
Location: 201 Tukapa St, New Plymouth
Monday – 9th April – New Plymouth Coaching Workshop 2
Time: 6.00pm
Venue: Yarrow Stadium
Location: Maratahu St, New Plymouth 4310
Tuesday – 10th April – Hawera Coaching Workshop 1
Time: 3.30pm
Venue: Hawera High School – TSB Hub
Location: Camberwell Rd, Hawera 4610
Tuesday – 10th April – Hawera Coaching Workshop 2
Time: 6.00pm
Venue: Hawera High School – Southern RFC, TSB Hub
Location: Camberwell Rd, Hawera 4610
Wednesday – 11th April – Taihape Coaching Workshop
Time: 6.30pm
Venue: Taihape domain
Location: Toroa st, Taihape
Thursday – 12th April – Whanganui Coaching Workshop
Time: 6.30pm
Venue: Cooks Gardens – Combined with small blacks course
Location: Maria Pl, Whanganui, 4500
Saturday – 14th April – Wairarapa Coaching Workshop 1
Time: 9.00am
Venue: Gladstone RFC
Location: 576 Gladstone Road R D 2 Carterton
Saturday – 14th April – Wairarapa Coaching Workshop 2
Time: 12.00pm
Venue: Memorial Park
Location: Dixon St, Masterton
Sunday – 15th April – Wellington Coaching Workshop
Time: 9.00am
Venue: Wellington Football Club
Location: Haitaitai Park, Wellington
Sunday – 15th April – Tawa Coaching Workshop
Time: 11.00am
Venue: Tawa rugby club
Location: 21 Lyndhurst Rd, Tawa
Sunday – 15th April – Hutt Valley Coaching Workshop
Time: 1.00pm
Venue: Hutt Recreation Ground
Location: Lower Hutt 5010
Friday – 27th April – Brightwater Coaching Workshop
Time: 4.00pm
Venue: Brightwater Domain
Location: Lord Rutherford Road
Saturday – 28th April – Motueka Coaching Workshop
Time: 9.00am
Location: Sports Park Motueka
Saturday – 28th April – Waimea Coaching Workshop
Time: 11.30am
Venue: Jubilee Park
Location: Richmond 7020
Saturday – 28th April – Nelson Coaching Workshop
Time: 2.00pm
Venue: Neale Park, Nelson Rugby Club
Location: 5 Hathaway Ct, The Wood, Nelson
Sunday – 29th April – Moutere Coaching Workshop
Time: 9.00am
Venue: Moutere Rugby Football Club
Location: Rapaura Rd, Spring Creek 7273
Sunday – 29th April – Blenheim Coaching Workshop
Time: 12.00pm
Venue: Lansdowne Park
Location: Mayfield, Blenheim 7201
Sunday – 29th April – Renwick Coaching Workshop
Time: 2.00pm
Venue: Renwick Rugby Club
Location: Uxbridge St, Renwick 7204
