Four community coaches from the UK arrived in Malta recently. These coaches, appointed by the MRFU, have been assigned to four of the clubs on the island.

Lewis Naphausen will spend the season working with Overseas RUFC, Steven Meenagh with Birkirkara Alligators, Darren Lamon with Kavallieri and Mark Davey, also a Malta national team player, will be working with the Falcons.

These coaches will spend the season developing rugby in Malta, with a particular focus on youth rugby within their respective clubs.

Coaching sessions will be delivered in both primary and secondary schools, with the hope of attracting players of all ages to join the clubs.

Each coach will also spend time working with the youth sections of their clubs on a weekly basis delivering coaching sessions and helping to develop both players and coaches alike.

Gasan Mamo Insurance Ltd will be continuing their support in developing youth rugby in Malta.

Since the arrival of the coaches The MRFU has assisted with the running of the age grade ‘school of rugby’ on Sunday mornings at Marsa. The sessions, which will run every Sunday until the beginning of the league fixtures, will focus on a variety of core skills, with a different skill being emphasised from week to week.

A women’s training camp was also held at Marsa earlier this month. There was a really good turnout, enabling the Union to deliver a high quality, enjoyable session, based around handling and decision making exercises, with everyone taking something positive away from the session.

Also happening at the moment is the delivery of a Foundation level coaching course. The course is being delivered by Alex Grieve and Lewis, to those wishing to take their first steps into coaching. The course focuses on the basics of coaching and officiating, including; passing and handling, tackling, rucking and mauling.

A good 15 are attending the course and the first day proved to be a success. The course is due to be completed this week and given the early success, another course might be held before Christmas.

■ MRFU Development manager