Ireland have become the latest nation to graduate from the European Commission-backed RLEF Technical Strategy, following RLEF Coaching Manager Martin Crick’s five-day visit to Dublin where he conducted Phase 3 of the two-year project.

Coach tutor candidates Brendan Guilfoyle and Gordon Matthews spent two days with Crick receiving additional training before the duo ran a two-day Level 1 Course at Dublin City University, where they qualified seven new coaches and picked up their certificates. The scheme is part funded by the Leonardo da Vinci project, which specialises in vocational-educational training in Europe.

The new Irish coaches include former international player Wayne Kerr (Curragh RLFC) as well as Brian Curtis (Tallaght Tigers), Tony Dale (Athboy Longhorns), Cathal O’Reilly (Treaty City Titans), Peter Carr (Barnhall Butchers), Richard Willson and Conor Kelly (Ballyfermot Bears).

Brendan Guilfoyle said: “It was great to be part of the culmination of three years’ work between Rugby League Ireland and the RLEF which saw the first rugby league coaches qualified on Irish soil. All the candidates left the course ready to spread the game and to recruit new coaches for the future.’’