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Geophrey Sifani Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) in conjunction with World Rugby will conduct a Sevens Level One coaching clinic at Hartsfield Ground in Bulawayo tomorrow.

About 30 people are expected to attend the one-day event that is aimed at equipping players with skills needed for development of their fitness.

Participants will fork out $30 for the course that will be conducted by Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) general manager Brighton Chivande and former senior national team coach Godwin Murambiwa. The two are certified World Rugby educators.

The coaching clinic is targeted at school coaches, administrators, players that were involved in the recent Bulawayo Rugby Cup and coaches.

Matabeleland Rugby Football Board (MRFB) chairman Theo Weale said the coaching clinic would help foster development of the game in the region and increase the number of players involved with the sport.

“The benefits from conducting coaching clinics are endless, but once players, coaches and administrators undergo training, the whole perspective of the game of rugby changes. Their skills are upgraded and their coaching techniques improved. It reduces the number of unqualified coaches in the game and improves the quality of coaches at junior, youth and senior levels,” said Weale.

He added that the national team needs a wider base of players to chose from and the coaching clinic would enhance the chances of boys from the southern region playing for the national teams. He said the development was an indicator that ZRU had heard MRFB’s cries for help in developing rugby in the Matabeleland region.

Coaching is one of the most crucial factors in developing, sustaining and increasing participation in rugby, securing the future and quality of the game.

For one to be an effective coach, there is need to fulfil a number of different roles, covering the technical, tactical, physical and mental aspects demanded by the game.