Lions coach Ollie Cross is also a youth team coach at Richmond FC.
He aspires to be a professional rugby coach.
Q: How long have you been coaching for?
I’ve been coaching for two years.
Q: How long have you been coaching with Lions?
A year.
Q: Why did you choose to coach with us?
I was looking to gain more experience in different coaching environments. I am also a youth rugby coach with Richmond FC. During a joint training session with Lions Sports Academy, a Lions coach who was running the session gave me some information about the company.
Q: Which sport(s) do you coach and what qualifications do you have?
I hold a level-2 coaching certificate.
Q: Which clubs (if any) do you play for?
I play for Old Ruts Rugby Club in Merton Park, London.
Q: What is your ultimate goal as a coach?
I want to coach at a professional level, learn the game better, and contribute to the rugby community. It’s also important to me that I make sure players are having fun and learning.
Q: Who is your sporting hero and why?
Sam Warburton is my sporting hero. He played at the top highest level. He is a great leader and took the responsibility of being a captain with humility. When he lost the captaincy he was respectful and dignified. I look for these sorts of qualities in the players I coach. Humble, team-orientated, and playing without ego.
