The LoneStar Conference will be hosting a Coaches Clinic on Sept 12, on the SHSU campus (Huntsville, TX) and will be taught by the very sought after coach – Leo Lafaiali’i.
Leo Lafaiali’i made his debut for Samoa in 2001 against Tonga, going on to play in Test matches against Fiji, New Zealand, and Tonga later on in the year. After a number of appearances in 2002, he went to the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia, playing against Uruguay, Georgia, England, and South Africa. Lafaiali’i toured with the Pacific Islands in 2004 and helped Samoa to qualify for the World Cup in France. He featured in the 2007 Pacific Nations Cup for Samoa and was selected in the Samoa squad to go to the 2007 Rugby World Cup, where he played in his second global tournament.
Earlier in his career he played for Auckland winning national titles in 1996 and 1999. He was selected for the Blues in 1997 and was part of the championship winning side for that season. Drafted to the Chiefs in 1999 he returned to the Blues in 2000 & 2001 before departing to Sanyo in Japan. He has also played for Overmach Parma in Italy, Bayonne in France and is currently playing for Yokogawa in Japan.
He is also the National Director of Coaching Development for ARCA (American Rugby Coaches Association). In addition to being National Director, his coaching credentials include:
- Yokogawa Forwards Coach, 2006–2008
- Yokogawa Head Coach, 2008–2010
- Colby College Men’s & Women’s Assistant Coach, 2012–2013
- Colby College Men’s Head Coach: 2013–present
- and holds a Top League Japan Coaching License along with being a Level 2 Coach with the Auckland Rugby Union.
Details about the clinic are as follows: It will begin at 9:30 a.m. (exact address to be distributed in the next couple of days) and will cover some of the following (times and material may be adjusted as necessary):
Introduction 15 mins
- Speaker #1 55 min – Identification [How to assess players skills, body type, ability to learn etc and place in appropriate positions]
- Speaker #2 55 min– Development [Increasing player skills sets, decision making and protocols]
Break 25 min
- Discussion 60 min – Questions on previous work and implementation on discussion points. Possible tools, drills, applications etc
Lunch
- Speaker #3 55 min – Implementation – Creating Practice Plans, Annual Training Plan, Training Assessments, Goal Setting, Resources for Drills, Games etc
- Speaker #4 55 min – Team Management [Paperwork, Schedules, Training Times, Emergency Plans and any other USA Rugby/LSC Requirements etc]
- Discussion 60 min – Questions on previous work and implementation on discussion points. Possible tools, drills, applications etc
Cost of the course will be $60 per coach, but will include your lunch. USA Rugby has approved a 5 continuing education (CE) credit towards maintaining your Level 200 or 300 accreditation.
All interested coaches, please address your interest to Shayne Roberson with the LoneStar Conference at shayner@hotmail.com.
Thanks and hope to see you all there.