What is SmartRugby?

SmartRugby is a program mandated by Rugby Canada and an occupational health and safety program for Ontario’s Rugby participants. It is a compulsory minimum requirement for every coach, player and referee participating in Rugby where there is a tackling or contact component. SmartRugby is mandatory in 2007, requiring qualification every two years. To be fully effective it requires ongoing commitment rather than just occasional attention.

The SmartRugby program provides all coaches, players and referees with best practice principles for the contact elements of the game. As we know, rugby has inherent risks, and as such each coach and referee must ensure a safe environment as practically possible.

How the Program Operates

Drew Macpherson, Rugby Ontario Community Development Manager and Byron Wood, Ontario Rugby Referees’ Society President, attended the Rugby Canada SmartRugby workshop held January, 2007 in Vancouver.

Drew and Byron will train club coaches and referee trainers who will in turn deliver to their respective clubs and referee societies

The 'train-the-trainer' session ensures that all coaches and referees are up-skilled in the correct techniques to show their players/members.

Coaches and referee trainers are required to cover this material in on-field sessions to players & referees prior to the commencement of each season. The techniques learnt are built into regular training throughout the season, so that SmartRugby becomes an integral part of coaching at your club, school or society.

A typical SmartRugby session of 2.5 hours includes the following:

Sessions are FREE to attend and are run by Rugby Ontario Union Coach & Referee Trainers for 2.5 hours at scheduled clinics listed below.

Feb 11th    Ottawa 1:30pm Twin Elm

Feb 13       Burlington Rugby Club on Feb 7pm

Feb 17th    Toronto ORU office building 10:00am

Feb 21st     London RFC, but to be confirmed on  at 7pm.

Mar 24       Ottawa - Tentative

Please contact Drew Macpherson if further clinics are required.

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What are the Benefits?

SmartRugby will only really have an impact if coaches and referees get behind it by learning about it, following its training techniques and 'transferring the knowledge' to players.

The benefits are many - not just fewer injuries, which make for happier parents and players, and fewer coaching selection crisis, but more effective tackles and scrums, and a greater focus of team effort at the breakdown, line outs and restarts.

SmartRugby is an also a program that can be demonstrated to Insurance companies as an ongoing risk management plan.

Acknowledgements:

Australian Rugby Union Ltd.

Queensland Rugby Union

Rugby Football Union

International Rugby Board

Rugby Canada Community Rugby Development Department