Room 101: Mike Aspinall – Harrogate player-coach

1. Essay writing
I wouldn’t say that I’m the most academic person by any stretch of the imagination.
But, as someone who’s nearing the end of their Level 4 RFU coaching qualification, I’ve had to knuckle down and be disciplined in my approach to study.
The Level 4 course is brilliant, because it backs up what you do as a coach day-in day-out, but I can’t say I enjoy the essay-writing side of things.
My main paper is titled: What makes elite playmakers. It discusses why someone like Will Genia can see so much more on the rugby pitch than lesser mortals like, for example, Mike Phillips in the first Lions Test.
The actual writing part I don’t find too bad, it’s finding quotes from other sources to back up your beliefs that frustrates me because it takes up so much of your time.
TRP verdict: As Ernest Hemingway once said, ‘easy writing makes hard reading’. It took two minutes to find that quote. You’re out.
2. Hormonal women
My partner is seven months pregnant and I love her to bits. But I have to say every day can be quite a challenge because of the pregnancy-associated mood swings you encounter.
I pretty much get the blame for everything; it seems you can’t do right for doing wrong!
Hormones are amazing things; they make my partner cry one second and then laugh out loud the next. At least a happy ending is just around the corner!
TRP verdict:  Luckily for you it’s the time of the month when we’re feeling generous. You’re in.
3. Blurred business vision
I’ve been around in rugby a long time now – seven years as a coach and 20-plus as a player –  but it never ceases to amaze me how organisations either lack a clear vision of what they want to achieve or if they have one then how they consistently fail to deliver what they said they were going to do.
Being in such an environment makes me want to bang my head against a brick wall.
TRP verdict:   Time for Plan B, I’m afraid. You’re out