Case studies: Head strength and conditioning coach: Barny Allen

Barny has a BSc Sport and Exercise Science from the University of Bath and is head strength and conditioning coach at Gloucester Rugby Club.

After my second year at university I completed a year-long internship at what was the London Broncos rugby league team. When I returned to university for my final year I sent my CV and covering letter out to all Premiership, Magners League and Super League teams. Gloucester had an assistant’s job available and I was lucky enough to get it. I started work at Gloucester one week after my final exam at university.

The degree course at the University of Bath  gave me the foundation knowledge I required to specialise in strength and conditioning. I was then able to put into practice what I had read, learned and observed with a good understanding. 

The most rewarding and relevant experience I gained whilst at university was during my voluntary year work placement. At the time, Bath was one of the only universities offering a sandwich-year course. The year working in a professional environment allowed me to gain more knowledge of the practical and theoretical facets of strength and conditioning. It also enhanced my coaching and interpersonal skills through working with young academy players all the way up to elite internationals.

A typical day in season usually starts around 7.30am. My assistants will already be taking academy sessions. I use this time before the players arrive to liaise with the medical team and the coaches on numbers training and who can do what. When the players arrive my duties range from organising/leading gym/conditioning/rehab sessions, taking players for warm ups, monitoring load of sessions. Once the players have finished training my team and I will take them through their recovery protocols. The day will finish with a debrief with the medical team and coaches, whilst organising the training for the following day.

The part of the job I enjoy the most is that it is not 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday. Each week is different and each week has a set conclusion (i.e. a match at the end). It is also hugely satisfying seeing players develop throughout the season, whether it be through technical advancement in a lift, gaining/losing necessary weight or putting attributes gained through strength and conditioning into practice on the field. 

The most challenging parts of the job are staying organised and remaining aware of what each of the 35 first team players are doing each day when you have some of them full training, some part training and some injured. I want to make sure that each player is looked after as individually as possible and that no one slips through the net.

For me, experience working with athletes is key to achieving a career in professional rugby. My advice would be to try and get as much experience as you can, from as many different places/individuals as possible before you graduate. Paid experience in sport can be difficult to come by, therefore gaining practical knowledge before you have to start paying loans back can be very beneficial. Everyone you work with will have their own ideas and experiences that have had success when training athletes. They will all have a different manner in coaching individual athletes that you can observe and employ. From this mass of experience you will able to enhance your practical knowledge base and hone your coaching skills, thus making you a more attractive candidate for a job.

AGCAS

Sourced by AGCAS editors

Date: 

May 2011

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