Tuesday Talent Coach - Laura-Alice Smith
Some people are destined to be involved in rugby from a young age, and this can certainly be said of this week's Tuesday Talent Laura-Alice Smith. Laura-Alice has been involved in rugby from a very young age, representing Worcester Warriors at Junior age grade & was in the process of selection for the U15s England Development squad when a severe ankle injury prevented her from taking her career at the top level any further.
But this is what makes Laura-Alice so special, in that she did not let this injury get her down but instead turned it into an advantage by getting involved in coaching, which allowed her to stay connected to the sport she loved so dearly. Since then her coaching career has continued to develop, with a coaching experience at Twickenham Lions, whilst she was a student at St Mary's University and now has set her sights on getting more girls involved in rugby and helping develop young people using the ethics & values rugby holds.
This is only a glimpse into the special talent that Laura-Alice has for coaching and we conducted a full interview with her to understand what exactly motivates her whilst coaching and how she is always planning to improve.
Read Below:
Full name: Laura-Alice Smith
How long have you been coaching? Coached for 4 years
How did you get into it and why coaching?
I used to play for Worcester warriors at junior age, selected for regional level rugby representing the midlands and was in the process of selection for u15 England talent development squad when a severe ankle injury prevented me from playing future high level rugby. Coaching was a brilliant way
for me to stay involved in a sport that was a huge part of my life and enabled me to pass on my passion and skill to other players.
Why Lions?
As a student at St Marys University Twickenham Lions enables me to
further my coaching experience and continue delivering the sport I am so passionate
about whilst allowing me to continue my studies.
Qualifications and training?
Coaching Goals?
1) Get more Girls into rugby and continue to grow the sport
2) Use ethics and values rugby holds to develop young people for
the future
3) Fun! FUN! Fun! Develop my coaching technique and qualifications to ensure all
players are enjoying the sport they are partaking in whilst gaining the most skill and
confidence possible.
Interests and Hobbies?
Alongside my love of rugby I am very interested in the outdoor adventure
sports. Growing up in North wales with the Snowdonia mountain range and
the Irish Sea on my door step I quickly became a very keen sailor and
mountaineer. Both sports have allowed me to travel the world including sailing
across the Atlantic and trekking the foot hills of Mt Fuji in Japan.
Trapped on a desert island, 3 things your taking what are they?
1) A massive Bottle of water
2) A Tray of Half time Oranges
3) A Rugby Ball!
