Ulster Rugby have launched a new e-learning resource with a focus on fitness education, nutrition and player welfare.
The Ulster Rugby Resources YouTube channel includes seven nutrition and seven concussion videos, which have been developed by the IRFU and are aimed at various stakeholders within the game including players, referees, coaches and parents. These have been supplemented by 22 fitness education pilot videos, which feature Ulster Rugby stars Chris Henry and Darren Cave, as well as Ulster Women’s players Claire McLaughlin and Jemma Jackson.
The fitness education videos focus on fundamental movement skills and body weight exercises and the content is aimed at coaches working within stages 1 and 2 of the IRFU’s Player Development Pathway. The aim of this pilot scheme is to attract funding to further enhance the resource, offering a full curriculum of videos for all stages of the Long Term Player Development Pathway.
Commenting on his involvement with the pilot fitness videos, Chris Henry, said:
“This is a superb initiative and it is refreshing to see something like this being developed. The pilot fitness videos are a great addition to the nutrition and concussion resources, which have been developed by the IRFU and are also extremely useful.”
Ulster Rugby’s Fitness Education Manager, Chris Shields, added:
“This was a great opportunity to take our paper-based exercise directory and put it into a visual context. This resource will be instantly accessible to our coaches and will add further support to those attending IRFU accredited courses. However, with only a small sample of videos currently produced, we are merely scratching the surface. The aim is to create a comprehensive directory of exercises and to demonstrate how they can benefit rugby players in match-specific situations.
“I would like to thank Jemma, Claire, Chris and Darren for their help throughout this process. The videos would not have been possible without the availability of players from the Portadown Panthers, Rainey RFC mini rugby, Rainey Endowed School Medallion squad and Dungannon RFC U18 Girls. A big thank you must also go to videographer, Ben Simpson, whose expertise behind the camera and knowledge of the game was invaluable.
“Suggestions, recommendations and feedback are appreciated as Ulster Rugby is committed to producing resources that add value and are appropriate for all levels of the game.”
To view the Ulster Rugby Resources YouTube channel, please click here.
For more information, please contact Chris Shields, Ulster Rugby’s Fitness Education Manager:chris.shields@ulsterrugby.com.
“This is a superb initiative and it is refreshing to see something like this being developed. The pilot fitness videos are a great addition to the nutrition and concussion resources, which have been developed by the IRFU and are also extremely useful.”