COACHES

COACHING REGISTRATION PROCESS

All coaches and associate referees need to complete the following Registration Process:

1. Register by completing the New Zealand Rugby Coach Registration form by clicking the ‘register here' tab below, or through your club/schools sporty site and complete the online module.(You are now "pending")

2. All Small Blacks Coaches (Junior Club, Primary and Intermediate School) must attend a Small Blacks course. Once completed you are no longer "pending" you are officially "active".

Note: All Rugby Smart Coaches (Youth & Senior) in 2026 must complete either the online learning or online webinar. Once you have completed either of the online options, your registration will be complete for the 2026 season. In addition, North Harbour Rugby is offering face-to-face coach development opportunities. These are optional, and coaches are welcome to attend as many as they wish. Details for these face-to-face opportunites can be found below.

North Harbour Coach Framework

Harbour Rugby’s Coach Development Framework has been created to provide a clear, supportive and progressive pathway for coaches across our community game — from first-time junior volunteers through to representative and high-performance environments.

The purpose of the framework is simple: to grow confident, capable, and connected coaches at every level of the game.


Built around five stages — Foundation, Developing, Adapting, Advanced and Excelling — the framework recognises that coaching is a journey. It provides clarity on what effective coaching looks like at each stage, while reinforcing that every level of contribution is valued within our rugby system.

Rather than acting as an evaluation tool, the framework is designed to support self-reflection and growth. Coaches are encouraged to identify where they currently operate across four key domains:

  • Planning & Design
  • Game Understanding
  • Player-Centred Environment
  • Leadership & Reflection

By outlining observable behaviours within each domain, the framework gives coaches practical direction for improvement while maintaining ownership of their development. It aligns with Harbour Rugby’s course offerings, club support initiatives and representative pathways, ensuring consistency from Junior Rugby through to Senior and High-Performance environments.

This framework is part of Harbour Rugby’s ongoing commitment to raising the standard of coaching across our clubs and schools network.


Domain

Foundation

Developing

Adapting

Advanced

Excelling

Planning & Design

Uses The Coaching Gig. Focuses on safety & basics.

Plans sessions with clear objectives. Begins game-based design.

Designs sessions around game themes. Adjusts in real time.

Periodises season. Integrates tactical & mental elements.

Designs long-term frameworks. Innovates methodology.

Game Understanding

Understands basic rules & structure.

Connects skills to simple game scenarios.

Coaches’ principles & decision-making. Recognises patterns.

Deep tactical understanding. Coaches game management.

Anticipates trends. Develops other coaches’ game intelligence.

Player-Centred Environment

Positive & supportive. Focus on enjoyment. 

Encourages inclusion & basic decision-making.

Builds strong culture. Empowers player leadership.

Develops ownership in high-expectation environments.

Builds high-performance culture. Sustains leadership groups.

Leadership & Reflection

Open to feedback. Attends courses.

Reflects after sessions. Seeks feedback.

Reviews performance objectively. Supports assistants.

Mentors other coaches. Contributes to club direction.

Leads coach development. Shapes regional philosophy.

COACHING WORKSHOPS (2026):

Developing Rugby Coaches (Level 2)

Foundations of Coaching (Level 1)

Akō Wahine (Level 1, Women's Coaches)

Small Blacks

Rugby Smart Masterclasses

Rugby Smart (Y17 Girls & Senior Women)