ESPN, lead broadcaster of Aviva Premiership Rugby, and each of the 12 Premiership Rugby clubs are delivering a series of coaching Masterclass events around the country.

On Wednesday 22 February the Newcastle Falcons will team up with ESPN to deliver a specific session open to all Northumberland county rugby coaches and will be held at Druid Park.

The session will be based around back line defence and look closely at defensive patterns and tackle technique.

Across the season, the Masterclass programme will deliver two strands: coaching sessions for youth players at local schools, and, “coaching the coaches” masterclasses for local and grassroots club coaches and management. Youth coaching sessions will be offered to schools that are new to rugby and will each engage dozens of boys and girls aged 11 to 13 years. A series of skill stations manned by Premiership Rugby community coaches and players, plus one of ESPN’s rugby team will deliver fun sessions focusing on introducing core skills and tips from top coaches.

Coach masterclasses for local and grassroots club coaches and management will focus on understanding and teaching core skills. The coach education sessions will involve a player or coach from the local Premiership Rugby club and one of ESPN’s presenters - delivering a seminar focused on an individual skill within the game as well as a question and answer session.

Ahead of each Aviva Premiership Rugby match week, ESPN and Premiership Rugby will hold a Masterclass event with one of the clubs featured in ESPN’s live televised matches each week. Former England internationals and ESPN rugby analysts Austin Healey and Ben Kay, along with ESPN rugby presenters Mark Durden-Smith and Nick Mullins, will take part in the Masterclass programme, helping to coach, inform and inspire youth rugby players, as well as established coaches and club staff.

If you are interested please contact Claire Sharpe at the Northumberland County office Claire.sharpe@northumberlandrfu.co.uk