- Cornwall’s David ‘Benji’ Thomas wins RFU Coaching Awards Lifetime Achievement Award for Coaching Excellence
- Weymouth’s Paul Harding named Adult Coach of the Year
Two leading rugby coaches from the South West were honoured at the annual Rugby Football Union Coaching Awards at the National Coaching Conference at Heythrop Park in Oxfordshire.
The RFU Coaching Awards provides an opportunity to recognise coaching achievements and value the role that coaching makes to the sport of rugby union.
Coaches from across the country were nominated for five awards – The Ian Thompson Young People’s Coach of the Year, Adult Coach of the Year, Coach Educator of the Year, Club Coaching Coordinator of the Year and there was also a Lifetime Achievement Award for Coaching Excellence.
David ‘Benji’ Thomas from Cornwall deservedly scooped the honour of receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award for Coaching Excellence.
‘Benji’ has spent 40 plus years in teaching and in turn coaching rugby most days in the winter terms. He has also coached players of all ages and levels for the likes of Falmouth, St Ives, Cornwall Colts, Cornwall, including coaching Cornwall to three Twickenham County finals, and the South and South West Division.
He has also been responsible for training coaches and has held roles such as Chairman of the Cornwall RFU Coaching Association (CRFU), RFU Coaching Tutor, Cornwall Coaching Co-ordinator covering all junior rugby in the county as well as identifying and organising all of the Schools of Rugby in Cornwall. ‘Benji’ currently coaches Penryn RFC and is also the Manager of the CRFU’s Schools of Rugby.
David Martin, CRFU’s President, said: "Benji was an outstanding player, but was always destined to be an even better coach. He has devoted 50 years of his life to coaching and the well-being of those interested in Rugby Union; his enthusiasm is beyond bounds and is infectious! Without his input rugby in Cornwall would begin to wither and die! What greater legacy could one man leave?"
Paul Harding from Weymouth RFC was the South West’s other worthy winner, picking up the Adult Coach of the Year award.
Paul has made a huge impact on Weymouth RFC as Head Coach of the senior club for the last three seasons. When he took over, the club was running just two senior teams plus an occasional Vets team. The 1st XV were languishing in the mid-table of Dorset & Wilts Div1 (S), but his influence has brought real solid success and last year they were second in the league and Plate finalists.
This season they are vying for promotion and are again through to the Plate final. The 2nd XV also gained promotion last season and are currently mid-table of Dorset & Wilts Div2 (S).
Chris Davis, Weymouth’s Volunteer’s Coordinator, said: "Paul’s approach to coaching has transformed the players in attitude, skills and fitness. Such is the quality of Paul’s coaching that we regularly have between 30 to 40 players attending evening training despite having to train under temporary lights due to public road works.
"These numbers have enabled us this season to start a 3rd XV, which so far has fulfilled all its fixtures and we continue to run Vets matches. His man management skills with his fellow coaches and the players are an important part of his contribution. He has engendered a really strong club ethos.
"Paul’s coaching activities spill into the club’s junior rugby. Up until this season he has been coaching the current Under 16s and this year two of his protégés have made the Bath Academy and one of these the England Development Squad. This is a tremendous achievement for a small club and demonstrates Paul’s skills across age ranges."