Everyone’s on a different journey – so enjoy yours

Steve Hill puts the questions to Fred Pierrepont, below, the head coach at Worthing RFC

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

I started properly coaching rugby at Loughborough University, a year or so after graduating. After a season playing with Pertemp Bees, Dave Morris, Loughborough DOR at the time, invited me back to take up a role managing their Performance Programme, coaching the BUCS 2 side and facilitating a coach development programme.

You moved from assistant to head coach just over a season ago. What are the main differences in your new role?

I’ve definitely had to become more conscious of bigger picture things, budgets, recruitment, retention, direction etc, but it still allows me to get hands on and coach which is important. I have a great coaching group around me, which makes these things easier when I need to step away from the coal face.

What is/was your profession outside of coaching rugby?

I’m the Head of Rugby at Hurstpierpoint College and I also run a Sports Camps company with my business partner, Jordan Turner-Hall.

How would you describe your style of coaching?

Definitely has changed over the years and within different roles. Currently I hope it feels collaborative and supportive, across both my playing and coaching group.

What do you find the most challenging aspects of coaching?

I’m very fortunate as I get to coach across two very different landscapes and get the chance to adapt my approach to suit or favour each environment. It’s a welcome challenge as it constantly keeps me on my toes, but also very beneficial and rewarding when I find useful crossovers from each. But it certainly forces me to engage early and be well prepared.

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

I probably have three people that come to mind. Dave Morris gave me a lot of opportunities early to learn, make mistakes and develop a number of different skills across different platforms. JTH who I mentioned previously, is always someone that I love to coach with and bounce off, neither afraid to question or challenge each other in conversation, energy and charisma to boot. Lastly Rob Kift, my Director of Sport at Hurst, a great soundboard and very experienced leader and coach.

How and when do you provide feedback/review to your players?

Nothing cutting edge, just simple things done well. We’re implementing feedback windows this season at Worthing. This will give players a specific time/date when they know they will receive feedback, allowing both player and coach to prepare. I think the key element of all feedback sessions are they’re driven by the player, thus improving their own awareness.

Last season you finished 12th in your league just avoiding relegation. What adjustments/changes to your coaching or preparation, if any, are you planning to implement for this coming season?

The start of last season was extremely rushed and last minute. With the late movement of coaches, new roles and a number of things off-field, we were on the back foot from minute one. A tough but very worthwhile transition year. I personally wouldn’t change any of it, the learnings both the coaching and playing group experienced were priceless. This year we’ve expanded the coaching group, which will allow us to cover more detail, up-skill individuals, focused unit work and all-round squad cohesion and connection. We’ve also reinstated our 2nd team, which has already had a big impact on competitive nature and intensity at training. Actual planning and preparation time has been hugely beneficial, allowing the coaching to be more targeted and aligned.

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

Jack Forrest springs to mind for me. The most honest, hardworking, selfless players I’ve probably worked with. Despite easily being one of the best players in the National Leagues, he has no ego and always wants what’s best for those around him. Very easy decision to make him captain last season and this one, a good friend, great player and even better bloke.

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

I probably speak for many when I say helping with the cost of travel. The National leagues are brilliant competitions and great showcases for grassroots rugby. They provide a superb level of rugby for those playing part time and in turn provide a great experience for the spectators and fans. It would be a shame to lose them due to financial burdens.

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?

I’m quite happy with the way the game is played currently. I appreciate, as do most players I think, the new rules trials that occur as World Rugby try to keep the game moving and provide more opportunity for the team wanting to play positive rugby. Anything we can do also to keep the game as safe as possible while still maintaining the physical, attritional and confrontational nature is great.

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

I definitely know I’ve matured and adapted throughout my time. Currently maybe perceptive and passion driven.

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

Everyone’s on different journeys, enjoy the one you are on. Like most coaches, when I started, I thought I was ‘ready’ or knew most things, actually I knew nothing and still don’t. Being authentic and caring will set you in good stead with most.