Delayed start could be a blessing in disguise says Windsor RFC head coach Pattinson

While the exact start of the new rugby season for grassroots rugby remains as uncertain as ever, the delayed kickoff has been something of a blessing in disguise for Windsor RFC’s Jack Pattinson.

Over the past month and a half, the coach has been able to reconnect with his players and coaching staff as measures continue to slowly be eased and lifted. He was even able to implement some new training drills on Tuesday after the RFU announced clubs were permitted to enter Phase C of the rugby restart roadmap.

“Phase C got approved at the weekend and we had our first session under the new guidelines yesterday (Tuesday),” said Pattinson.

“We played some adaptive games where we gave the players a tactical problem in a game of touch to solve. It just got them thinking, moving and playing again. I don’t know when we’re going to be given the go ahead to start playing competitively again because we would need to have a proper pre-season.

“But I think it’s really been a bit of a blessing to have this time where you can practice, refine and tweak parts of your game.

“I’ve actually quite liked it in a way because you have to be creative and think of different ways of doing things. Obviously with the restrictions it means we can’t practice certain parts of the game.

“But this has been a great time to come up with new ideas about how to develop individual skills. It’s been really good to get people back together again, enjoying the game and each other’s company.

“Credit to the club, they’ve been phenomenal on and off the pitch in terms of making sure we follow all the procedures.”