Silent Sidelines

On Sunday, Ulster Rugby hosted a Silent Sidelines event at the girls blitz in Portadown RFC. Part of the IRFU Spirit of Rugby programme, Silent Sidelines is all about creating a positive playing environment where age-grade players are empowered to make their own decisions. Feedback from players on the day highlighted that the initiative boosted their confidence and improved their playing ability as they had an opportunity to think for themselves and work with their team mates to learn from mistakes and to make their own tactical decisions. Kerry Spence, Spirit of Rugby Officer said ‘Quite often age-grade players get confused by coaches and parents ‘coaching’ from the sidelines, they don’t know who to listen to. If a coach has prepared the players well before the game, they shouldn’t need to coach during it’. ‘We want coaches, parents and other spectators to be there to support the players and officials, to build their confidence and to keep the sidelines positive. We want to see claps and cheers for positive play by all teams but if supporters have nothing positive to say, then we are asking them to remain silent.’