Cheltenham College’s Director of Rugby Olly Morgan, a former Gloucester and England player, tells us why some of his most rewarding experiences involved non-famous players, how schools are making contact sports as safe as possible and how he adjusts his coaching style to fit each student.
Watch a preview of the chat with Olly Morgan below:
Watch or listen to the full chat with Olly Morgan below:
It’s not about the stars
You might think that an ex rugby pro like Olly Morgan would take the most satisfaction in Cheltenham College students who follow his path into the paid ranks. College old boys like Ollie Thorley and Jack Clement who starred for the school and now star for Gloucester.
But, after more than a decade at the college, he maintains his job isn’t to produce elite players, but to demonstrate the value of sport.
“It is an exciting role. Our ethos as a sports department is to instil a lifelong love of sport at whatever that level is. So when they leave us they are excited to go to the gym or play in a touch competition or it could be anything.
“The ones who come in and don’t have an interest, but you go through the years and they’ve become excited by sport.”
Rugby done safely
A lot of parents are aware that contact sports help build children’s character and resilience. But they also fear the consequences of their sons and daughters suffering blows to the head.
Morgan says the college’s safety protocols are second to none.
“There is so much science. The level of care is night and day to what it used to be. The welfare of the kids is paramount.”
“The big thing for us is making sure that the RFU policy of ‘if in doubt, sit them out’ is implemented. There is no need to keep them on.”
A good coach adapts to the individual
Part of Morgan’s job is recruiting talented players to Cheltenham College – and regularly reviews video of youngsters.
But he clearly has a passion for developing all levels of children through sport. And he says the key to coaching is understanding each individual.
“As a coach one key skillset is emotional intelligence. You’ve got to read the room.
“You get to know the students well and you get to know what feedback they need.”
To find out more about sport at Cheltenham College:
