In this episode of The Progress Theory, we catch up with GB Women's Rugby 7's Lead S&C Coach, Ben Lonergan. Ben has a wealth of experience coaching a variety of athletes ranging from grassroots to international level, is a former university lecturer in S&C and sports rehab, and is now working with the GB Women's Rugby 7's team as they prepare for Tokyo 2021
In this episode we cover:
01:55 - The many names of Loners
02:40 – Ben out in Bermuda. S&C coach for a trial 10s tournament
03:56 – Details of being an S&C coach for the Asia Pacific dragons
05:15 – Possible progression of the Rugby 10’s series?
07:15 – The start of Loners’ S&C career. His start in teaching
10:30 – The start of Ben’s work with Arete performance
13:55 – Ben’s work with England 7’s – assistant to the men’s team
15:14 – Move over to Head S&C England women’s 7’s
16:27 – S&C coach for women’s Barbarians team for one of their tours
17:30 – Developing relationships between coach and athlete across both teams
19:36 – What’s going on with the rugby 7’s leading up to Tokyo?
21:55 – Difference when working with the men’s and women’s &’s teams
26:40 – Transitioning from the men’s to the women’s 7’s team
28:40 – Do the New Zealand women’s players think they’re better than England?
30:10 – Other nations catching up women’s 7’s
32:48 – What should we focus on to develop rugby ‘instinct’ during a player’s development years?
35:40 – Bigger movement skill set could reduce the chance of injury?
39:10 – Recommendations for those wanting a career working with elite athletes
41:55 – Work with a variety of different people. Always work with the general population, even alongside working with elite athletes.
43:37 – The difference between coaching and teaching
52:00 – Sports rehab and S&C are not separate anymore. Their roles overlap.
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