You are only ever as good as your players

Steve Hill puts the questions to David Marshall, below, head coach of Westcombe Park in National Two East and backs coach of Kent's County Championship team

Why did you get into coaching rugby and how did you arrive at your current position?

I was asked in 2017 by Andy Pratt to get involved at Canterbury RFC back and took on a backs/attack coach role. We got promoted into National One in our second season and had a year at Level 3. Covid put an end to that and I was asked to ‘help out' at my old club Westcombe Park midway through the 2021-22 season. At the end of that year I was asked to take over as head coach. In 2022-23 we got promoted into National 2 and we had our first year back in the National Leagues last year.

What is/was your profession outside of coaching rugby?

Project Manager for a Civil Engineering Contractor called VolkerFitzpatrick.

How would you describe your style of coaching?

Quite balanced. We have strategies in place and need to detail certain aspects of it but when it comes down to it the lads have got autonomy to express themselves.

For me coaching is an outlet to sell my ideas on the game as much as an opportunity to lead and mentor.

What do you find the most challenging aspects of coaching?

Time. I've got a career outside of rugby, a wife and two young girls at home so rugby needs to fit in around everything else, but there is a lot to do with all the video work, planning, phone calls etc but I still can't imagine doing it full time at this leveI, but I think that gives me a good perspective.

Has anyone been an adviser/mentor/inspiration on your coaching journey and how have they helped?

I have learned a lot from Matt Corker at Canterbury and Tom Stradwick with Kent. Andy Pratt has helped me massively, not only getting me into coaching but mentoring me in my early years at Canterbury and he's now on the Westcombe Park coaching team.

How do you foster a positive team/club culture?

It's cliché but honesty with the players and engage them on decisions, be it on tactics, attire, logistics whatever. In my experience, when people are invested, they will give everything. We are a community club first and foremost that just happens to run a semi-professional team.

Westcombe Park achieved a solid mid table position in National 2 League East last season – from a coaching perspective what can/will you change this season to attempt to finish higher?

We took a lot of learning from last season and have kept the squad together so we're hoping we can be a bit more street smart, tidy up some tactical stuff and close those close games out. We need to be better away from home this year which is a focus for us.

For the past two seasons you have coached the Kent three-quarters in two successive County Championship winning campaigns. What are the main coaching challenges when coaching county rugby?

With the county you don't have the time with the lads you do at the club, they're all excellent players so less is more, trying to do to much with them will have a detrimental effect so just getting about them organised and allowing their talent to shine through has worked well.

From a coaching angle what were the main factors contributing to Kent's success?

Selection 100 per cent . The two years I've been involved we've had excellent buy in from the top clubs in the county; Blackheath, Westcombe Park, Canterbury, TJ's and Sevenoaks, all National League clubs, Tom Stradwick has been outstanding in leading the group. Also, the work Taff Gwillam has done down the years making county rugby inviting for players with the tours and pathway from the 20's means the culture is strong.

Please name a player(s) who you have really enjoyed coaching/developing and why?

Aidan Moss at Canterbury was a special player during that time. Nick Cook, current Westcombe Park No.8 and captain is an outstanding talent. With Kent we had Leo Fielding from Blackheath with us this year who was outstanding, great lads first and foremost with the ability to produce big moments to decide games, you can be the best coach around but your only ever as good as your players.

What more could the RFU do to assist clubs who are not full time professional?

The obvious answer is funding, but the money has got to come from somewhere. I think the reshuffle a few years ago has diluted the standard of rugby at Level 4. Less matches is welcome but I think they should've reduced the number of teams but kept the boundaries the same – the gap between Level 3 and Level 4 is far too big now.

As a coach what two laws or aspects of the game would you change to make it a better experience for either yourself or your players?

The law I would change would be the goal line drop out for being held up, I would change that to favour the attacking team. The DLV (domestic law variation) lowering the tackle height hasn't changed things at this level either in my opinion, it's also not good to have different laws to the professional game either.

What two words would your current or previous players use to describe you as a coach and why?

I'd like to think passionate, not just for the game but to see that lads excel and reach their potential. Also, empathy, I always try to think ‘would I like to be coached by me' particularly around a difficult conversation.

What advice would you give to anyone considering or just starting to get involved in coaching rugby?

I would say to get involved, it's rewarding and you'll enjoy it and don't define yourself on results alone.