Jay Robinson’s Post

Below I have my latest published story for the University Star! It explores the impact of alumni involvement within club sports, more specifically, Rugby. https://lnkd.in/grDNU6AR

Reflection time. Last night, the #rugby team I #coach, Consett Rugby Club, faced defeat in the Men's Durham County Senior Cup by Durham City Rugby. As I pondered the reasons behind our loss – whether it was skill levels, player performance, decision-making, or coaching strategies, of which I think a lot comes down to the coach – I couldn't help but draw parallels between the world of rugby and the dynamics of the business world. In coaching rugby at an amateur level, our approach mirrors that of nurturing talent within a business. Each week, we see players turning up for training, committed to honing their skills. We invest time in refining techniques, drilling repetitive exercises to instil muscle memory, and meticulously analyse past games to inform our coaching strategies moving forward. Similarly, in the business arena, success hinges on fostering a positive environment that encourages innovation and growth. Just as a rugby team rallies around a shared goal, in #business, a cohesive team spirit is essential for achieving collective success. It's the 'one for all and all for one' attitude that epitomises teamwork, making the dream work. Moreover, at Consett, we're building something truly special. It's not just about the first team; it's about how the community adopts rugby and the rugby club as a whole. We're striving to embed the ethos of the rugby club across all levels – from social gatherings to community events. Our aim is to foster a sense of unity and purpose, driving towards shared goals both on and off the field. The idea of localism within business is proven to be successful, and we're eager to bring this concept to the forefront of the community within rugby. By providing a platform for young men and women, children, and adults to engage with the sport in various capacities – whether playing, socialising, or simply meeting up – we aim to create a vibrant hub where individuals can connect, compete, and grow. Through rugby, we not only instil fundamental skills but also provide people with a sense of purpose. Whether it's on the pitch or within the clubhouse, our goal is to nurture a community where everyone feels valued and empowered to succeed. As a coach, I believe it's important to take the burden of the loss. While we acknowledge there's work to be done, we're confident that we're moving in the right direction. In both rugby and business, the achievement of small goals leads to a positive mindset, building confidence that anything is achievable. We want the team involved with Consett to embrace this mindset – it's okay to strive for improvement, but we need to do it together. If anyone is keen to come on this journey with us, please let me know. Your support and enthusiasm would be greatly appreciated as we work towards our shared goals. 🤔 Thanks for all the support David Trott Ian McGeorge Ian Jackson Glyn Howatson

🚀 New Blog Post Alert: From Good to Great: The Final Push for Excellence 🚀 In my latest post, I explore the journey of achieving excellence by drawing parallels with the near success of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal and the ultimate triumph of the South African Rugby team's back-to-back World Cup wins under Rassie Erasmus. 🔹 The challenge of the final 1% in achieving greatness 🔹 Why coming close isn’t enough: Lessons from Arsenal 🔹 Strategies for overcoming the final hurdles 🔹 How the Springboks reached the pinnacle of success #Leadership #Excellence #BusinessGrowth #SuccessJourney #Arsenal #SouthAfricanRugby #BlogPost

Couldn't agree more with this approach to accentuating rugby... The sheer potential! I feel up-and-coming athletes need to be appreciated more, if that means helping them build and grow a more formidable personal brand for themselves, then so be it. After all, that's just a fraction of what needs to happen anyway. Don't even get me started on the possibilities of integrating the phygital side of things into the current NIL structure. Endorsements and promotions, etc are one thing... Crafting phygital assets that have infinite potential for all parties involved... Athlete + brand + fan, now that's a different ball game.

Could NIL Unlock a New Era of Rugby Athlete Empowerment and Global Fame? The integration of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) in collegiate sports has opened a plethora of opportunities for athletes in sports like American football and basketball. It's intriguing to ponder how a similar system could benefit rugby, a sport with a passionate global following yet varying professional opportunities. Here are some condensed thoughts: Benefits: 💪 Athlete Empowerment: NIL could provide rugby players with financial independence and broader personal development opportunities. 🌟 Increased Sport Visibility: Engaging with brands and leveraging social media could draw new fans, elevating rugby's global profile. 🤝 Enhanced Community Engagement: Athlete endorsements could strengthen the bond between local businesses and rugby communities, fostering mutual growth. Challenges: ⚖ Equitable Framework: The development of a fair and effective regulatory system is crucial to ensure equal opportunities and maintain the sport's integrity. 📉 Market Size Limitations: Rugby's market and fan base, while substantial, are smaller than those of some sports currently benefiting from NIL, possibly affecting the scale of opportunities. 📚 Educational Support for Athletes: Players would need guidance on navigating branding, financial management, and legal aspects of NIL engagements. Implementing NIL in rugby could represents a forward-thinking approach enhancing visibility and financial independence but also poses significant challenges that require thoughtful consideration. The RugbyDAO are keen to hear your thoughts. Could NIL be the future of rugby? #rugby #rugbygrowth #sportsmarketing #sportsbusiness #futureofrugby

Rugby Programmes/Player Pathways ­ - How do we judge success?    A Personal Reflection after 42 Seasons! I’m sure there are many metrics for judging how successful a rugby programme is, whether that is a school or a mini and juniors club programme, you could list how many schoolboy internationals it has “produced” or how many Springboks or Ireland internationals went to a particular rugby “powerhouse”, how many old boys are playing as professionals or how many current pupils are in various DPPs, PDGs or Academies. All very impressive, valuable, interesting and fantastic to hear about. However, in an era where male adult rugby participation rates have been falling for years, clubs, or teams in clubs, are folding and ceasing to exist. HWO or AWO as a result in the leagues is more prevalent than ever, I thought one number that could be used to judge the success of a rugby programme is how many boys who played at a school are still playing adult “club rugby”, whatever the level. I have reflected on my own journey in rugby, it wasn’t called a “pathway” then, it’s been “peaks and troughs”. I was sent to boarding school, my dad used to joke “It was either him or me leaving!” He sent me for 2 reasons, it was a Jesuit school and it was a “rugby” school, our coach in the 6th Form, legend of the game Brian Ashton, recognised my talent immediatly and together with the 1st XV Captain (still my best pal today) decided I was going be a stalwart prop for the 2nd XV! We lost once in 2 seasons, 6-7 in the last game away at Lancaster Royal Grammar. The results aren’t the thing though, on reflection, I know that playing rugby has influenced every area of my life, my family, my friends, my career, my house, and that started at school.    Every year at our school, I say to the boys who are leaving, “Please make sure you try to keep playing, I don’t mind what club or at what level, or keep involved at a club in some capacity, it will be of benefit to you and keep in touch.” Maybe some schools don’t know their numbers, I think they are crucial. So, with some reminders from clubs Instagram pages, but mostly out of my head I wrote a list of those that I know are still playing, they're all over the world, but mostly in South West London! I’m sure there are more and it changes each season. I’ve counted 105 at 21 clubs (see below) and I’m proud of them all, whatever the club or level! I'm still involved in rugby and teach at a Jesuit school, not a bad decision by my dad 42 years ago!   Harlequins FC: 3 Gloucester Rugby: 1 Richmond FC: 1 Wimbledon RFC: 2 Sheffield Tigers RUFC: 1 London Welsh RFC: 1 Battersea Ironsides RFC: 1 Wanstead RFC: 1 Old Rutlishians RFC: 16 Old Wimbledonians RFC: 63 Met Police RFC: 3 Raynes Park RFC: 3 Shipston on Stour RFC: 1 Mitcham RFC: 1 Manly, Australia: 1 Eastern Suburbs, Australia: 1 UBCOB RFC, Canada: 1 Meroloma Rugby, Canada: 1 Pesaro Rugby, Italy: 1 A.S.D Rugby Belluno, Italy: 1 Kuwait Scorpions RFC: 1

England Academy v France under 19s I attended a fantastic game of Rugby League yesterday evening in a game that France won in the last seconds 42-37. 14 tries shared by 2 wonderfully expansive teams in a real test match. Rugby League truly is a wonderful spectacle at every level. I simply enjoy watching the sport whether its under 11s or our Lions and Lionesses, NRL or Super League, every single level has something to offer. Now looking at the scoreboard I am assuming that those who weren't in attendance or watching online may think the defences must have been poor, far from it, every try was well crafted highly skilled expansive play. The French team who appeared considerably smaller than there opponents had 2 of the best half backs ive seen in a while and talk about the size of the fight in the dog they had it in abundance. If this is a sign of International RL for the future IM IN fully invested, having seen all the home nations playing in the last 12 months at youth level the sport has so much talent to develop. Here is where lies the following questions and (if anybody would like to join in the debate lets do it). 1/ How do we nurture this talent to play at the highest levels in years to come? 2/ Do we have too many overseas players or journeymen players in the UK game, blocking the progress of the youngsters? 3/ If 2 is a yes, what systems do we need to put in place to enhance player development? 4/ Once a player is at senior level to they learn play safe or is the FEAR of making a mistake ingrained, coached or a symptom of current competition structures? 5/ Do we overcoach to much and not let players experience play what you see? 6/ Players who are expansive are often referred to as a 'MAVERICK' is it time to change our own media narrative and just applaud, welcome and showcase players who promote expansive play in a positive manner? I have my own views on all the above, but wont share them just yet, Im just interested in the views of the others and whether my view is a minority or majority one.

The New Zealand All Blacks(Rugby Team), despite being a strong team in rugby, had a World Cup curse. From 1991 to 2007, they failed to secure another title, often losing in crucial matches. Their consistency in winning changed with change in their culture of the team spearheaded by Henry Graham and his team.(Wayne Smith and Steve Hanse) -------- Pre-Henry 1987: Champions 1991: Third Place 1995: Runners-up 1999: Fourth Place 2003: Third Place Henry era 2007: Quarter-finals (5th-8th place) 2011: Champions Post the 2011 win, he mentioned something along this line: Good practices, accepting failures alone did not help in 2007. Trust between each other made the 2011 win possible. Post Henry Era 2015: Champions 2019: Third Place 2023: Runners-up Maintained high performance culture ----------------- In total, he won 88 of his 103 tests as the head coach of the All Blacks. (2004-2011) Why did they consistently win? Henry, along with his assistant coaches Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen, implemented a radical change in the team's culture, prioritizing psychological safety(They did not call it as psychological safety). They encouraged players to speak up, share ideas, and admit mistakes without fear of ridicule or punishment. This approach was quite odd in the often macho, tough-it-out world of rugby. (Before his arrival teams had the captains handing out punishment to players) Key elements of their approach included: 1. Open, honest feedback sessions where players could critique each other and the coaches without repercussions. 2. Encouraging players to take leadership roles and make decisions on the field. 3. Treating mistakes as learning opportunities rather than reasons for blame. The results were dramatic. The team's performance improved significantly, culminating in winning the Rugby World Cup in 2011 despite a really bad loss in 2007. The systems and culture established by Graham Henry and his coaching staff continued to yield results even after his departure. This cultural shift proved sustainable, with the team maintaining its high performance under Steve Hansen's leadership, including another World Cup victory in 2015. This demonstrates the long-term impact of creating a psychologically safe environment, where the benefits persist even after changes in leadership. ------- Even though Graham's first world cup encounter was a disaster, the consistency of the team's winnings over 7 years gave him 5 World Rugby Coach of the year award. (2005, 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2011) Steve bagged it for 4 years . (2012, 2013, 2014, and 2016.) Their methods towards the team was based on the psychological safety and grounded in growth mindset

Following on from my last post and refreshed interest in rugby, today I went and listened to Richie McCaw at the Carterton Events Centre. The event was free, and organised by the Wairarapa Rural Trust and Westpac. The theme was leadership and resilience. The event was booked out as soon as it was advertised. The Events Centre was full to capacity with a total mix of my community. There was something quite special about the event and knowing that everyone attending wanted not just to see Richie McCaw but listen to his thoughts on leadership and resilience. I was actually a bit ambivalent about going because sometimes the word resilience seems to me a word bandied about by those fortunate not to have faced certain challenges. I’ve learnt though everyone has their own challenges and it is good to talk about how to use positive strategies to cope.My only regret is I didn’t get a pic afterwards. The guy deserves his knighthood just for his patience at the photo shoots after the event. There was so much packed into the live “podcast”. Most of it was familiar. The point of difference was the way Richie McCaw authentically talked about how he led himself and teams and has learned how to be resilient. A few things that resonated: 1. Be consistent 2. Don’t look over your shoulder- it’s not about other up and coming players - it’s about being as good as you can be and to work on that every day. They may overtake you eventually, but your focus should be on moving forward and you can’t do that looking over your shoulder. 3. Be uncomfortable with being comfortable - or get uncomfortable to progress and grow 4. Breathe and keep your head up. He highlighted this wasn’t just a metaphor but a practical tactic to success on the rugby field. 5. You can be be the best rugby player in the world but you have to be able to deliver on game day. You don’t just turn up, you prepare, practice and work on your physical and mental strengths. If you get the chance to hear Richie McCaw speak in your town or city I highly recommend you go. You might not get the free venison burgers on offer today, but you will get some inspiration. I was in the second row so managed to get this pic of a great New Zealand rugby player.

Building a Rugby Legacy at Stonar Stonar School has been on an incredible journey over the past decade. Since going co-educational 10 years ago, the school has worked hard to build sporting programmes that reflect the diverse talents and aspirations of our pupils. This year has marked a particularly exciting milestone: the formation of our first-ever 1st XV rugby team and the start of our Rugby Excellence Programme. Having only started at the school 15 months ago I can see the benefits rugby is bringing. A Vision for Rugby at Stonar The aim is ambitious yet clear: to establish rugby as the major sport at Stonar. Rugby holds a unique power in a school environment; it’s not just a game but a culture. For many boys and girls, success on the rugby pitch represents a status that boosts confidence, camaraderie, and pride in their school. By pushing our rugby programme, we’re not only enhancing our sporting provision but also strengthening Stonar’s identity as a school where teamwork, leadership, and resilience are core values. Rugby is definitely a powerful marketing tool. It’s a sport that attracts families looking for a school that develops well-rounded individuals. Schools with a strong rugby tradition often stand out, and this programme will help to raise Stonar’s profile in an extremely competitive sector, particularly where rugby is concerned. The Benefits of Rugby: More Than Just a Game Rugby offers unparalleled physical, emotional, and social benefits. Physically, it builds strength, stamina, and coordination. Emotionally, it fosters resilience, teaching players to handle both victory and defeat with grace. Socially, rugby creates unbreakable bonds among teammates, instilling a sense of belonging and mutual respect. These benefits extend far beyond the pitch. Rugby players develop skills that serve them throughout life: discipline, strategic thinking, and the ability to perform under pressure. At Stonar, our goal is to ensure that every pupil who takes part in the Rugby Excellence Programme leaves not only as a better player but also as a more confident and capable individual. Supporting the Next Generation of Rugby Talent The Rugby Excellence Programme is designed to provide a platform for all our players to improve and reach their potential. While we are committed to pushing our most talented players to achieve success at and beyond school, the primary focus is on creating an environment where every player can grow. Through expert coaching, individual conditioning plans, and access to more competitive opportunities, we aim to ensure that each pupil leaves the programme as a stronger, more confident rugby player, regardless of their starting point. The launch of the 1st XV and the Rugby Excellence Programme is a foundation for what I hope will become a thriving rugby culture at Stonar. I’m hoping we can build a legacy that enriches the lives of our students. I’d love to hear your thoughts: how did rugby shape your school or career?