Coach to coach
Steve Hill puts the questions to Anthony Howcroft, below, head coach at Sale FC
Why did you get into coaching and how did you arrive at your current position?
My good mate and Macclesfield team-mate Jonathan Keep had taken up a player coach role at Sale FC, I’d retired from playing the year before through injury. I had missed being involved after a year and he felt that together we could build something at FC, who were at Level 7 at the time, 12 years later we are still there!
What is your profession outside of rugby?
Chartered Surveyor.
How would you describe your current style of coaching and how has it changed since you started?
I believe you need to keep evolving, what got you to where you are, is unlikely to get you to the next level. I try to be more of a facilitator nowadays, we try to empower the players on and off the field at Sale, so they can make the key decisions at key moments in the game.
What type of culture/environment are you seeking to create within your club and how do you go about creating that?
A fun and caring environment, where we look out for each other, sport is so much more than gameday. When you get a group that genuinely cares about each other with aligned values and goals, you get an honest, hard-working team that enjoys each other’s company whilst challenging each other to be better, that is success to me.
What do you find the most challenging aspects of coaching in a non-full-time environment?
Definitely time, whether it’s time to cover off all the areas you need to in training, or time for the important small conversations that create the meaningful relationships helping you and your players understand each other. You have to be mindful of the time pressures rugby puts on players’ family life when combined with a full-time job. Semi-pro rugby at Nat 1 level is so demanding, everyone needs to enjoy it to thrive.
What is your process for evaluating and providing feedback to your players?
We carry out a weekly game review with the whole squad on a Tuesday and use Hudl to give additional individual feedback, as well as face to face individual or unit reviews. This is shared between the coaching staff.
Has anyone been an adviser/inspiration on your coaching journey?
David Plange, at Hunslet RLFC, was a coach way ahead of his time – 25 years on his style and philosophy still inspires me today. Latterly, I have learned much on the technical side of the game working from Neil Briggs. In a personal capacity Dave Levings – he brought Jonathan and me to Sale FC, his belief in us as a young coaching duo had a huge impact. I couldn’t not mention Richard Trickey, his drive and work ethic even now is truly inspiring.
So far what would you count as your most significant coaching achievement and why?
Not getting sacked in 12 years! What I am most proud of is the environment and culture we have created at Sale FC on and off the field. We have had many new players who have come to play for us off the back of recommendations from former players, which is really pleasing.
How does the relationship work between Sale FC and Sale Sharks?
It works well, there is mutual respect and value placed on the relationship, it doesn’t work otherwise. Like all Nat 1 clubs, we utilise the dual registration system to add to our squad, we have nurtured this relationship for a long time. When you get buy in from the player and they integrate into the squad, it is a relationship that benefits both clubs and the player. Last year’s Premiership final is testament to this, eight players in the matchday squad had played with Sale FC, including Joe Carpenter who started that season playing with us. Seven players who have played National League rugby at Sale FC have gone on to receive full international caps. These young players need to be playing week in week out to develop and the National Leagues plays a massive part in their development in our experience.
As pre-season approaches, and having reviewed last season, what do you plan to keep the same or change from a coaching perspective for the new season?
Last season fell below our recent levels of performance, I think we were guilty of thinking that we didn’t need to change our approach too much, which was obviously wrong. This year we will be freshening things up and looking to re-energise the team, you have to keep evolving, standing still is going backwards.
What two laws or aspects of the game would you change to make it a better experience?
Reduce the time/phases allowed on penalty advantage, that will encourage sides to ‘have a go’ on advantage. Also de-power the box kick – this will force teams to be more creative to create momentum.
How do you relax away from rugby?
Spending time with my family, ideally by the sea or in the mountains or countryside. I also enjoy a bit of cold water wild swimming and golf, not together unless I’m very wayward off the tee.
What two words would your players use to describe you as a coach and why?
Energetic and loud, because I can’t keep still or shut up.
What advice would you give to anyone considering or just starting to get involved in coaching rugby?
Put time in to learning your craft, it takes time; focus and practise on your delivery and be confident to be yourself from the start, to inspire people you have to be you.
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