Rotheram working on World Cup legacy

The World Cup gets underway later this month, but RFL National Player Development Management Dave Rotheram is ensuring England can bid for glory beyond 2013.

Steve McNamara’s England get their World Cup assault underway against Australia on October 26 with realistic hope of lifting the trophy for the first time with home advantage on their side.

And Leigh is set to play a role in any future World Cup success after Under-19s coach Rotheram helped kick off a new RFL coaching programme Embed the Pathway, supported by Gillette, on Saturday at World Cup venue Leigh Sports Village.

Rotheram will run the inaugural project aimed at the development of players aged 12-16, looking specifically at youth coach education, curriculum delivery and player profiling.

More than 60 youth coaches were treated to workshops, while youngsters from Wigan St Judes were also put through their paces to demonstrate how to properly take a session.

And Rotheram, who is also Scotland assistant coach for the upcoming World Cup, believes the future of rugby league in England is brighter for the new programme.

“This programme is something I have been wanting to do for a long time and to see it finally come to life is really exciting,” he said.

“We all know the World Cup is upon us very shortly but we want to make sure the future of this sport is in safe hands in this country goes beyond that.

“And to do that we are specifically looking how to engage 12-16 year olds and to ensure that we don’t have the current drop outs in the sport that we are currently having.

“So this is about coaching the coaches and making sure they know what is best for what sort of youngster and a wide range of talent levels.

“We really feel like this is going to make a big difference and to get it up and running with the World Cup around the corner is fantastic.”

Gillette’s partnership with the RFL and its investment in the RFL coaching programme is part of The Great Start Programme which aims to celebrate and encourage the coaches who will inspire the next generation. For more information visit www.facebook.co.uk/GilletteUK