About Me
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My name is Dan Cottrell and I’ve spent most of my adult life collecting and
absorbing the most useful rugby coaching secrets I can find.
When I’m not digging out insightful coaching approaches, I’m working
in the game as a practising RFU Level 3 Coach, a Welsh Rugby Union Course
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Leader, and head coach for the amateur Ospreys in Swansea and a skills coach for
the Ospreys Academy.
I know the value of communicating ideas correctly, because until recently I had
responsibility for 16 teams. I was Head of Rugby at Cranleigh School in Surrey,
England, a role that taught me every aspect of the game at the grass roots level.
My love of the game started as a player for Bath and Bristol and at divisional and
county standard. I was lucky enough to learn from some of the greatest modern experts.
At Bath, my influence was the magnificent Jack Rowell, before he went on to manage
England. I was (and still am) one of many followers of the hugely talented Brian
Ashton (later the coach for both Ireland and England).
I played under former England supremo Andy Robinson when he was captain at Bath.
At Bristol, I was taught to kick by Dave Alred, Jonny Wilkinson’s kicking
guru.
I’m a rugby coaching magpie
Throughout my career, I’ve been a magpie. I’m constantly collecting
shiny new ways of doing things, noisily squawking around and sticking my beak in,
asking questions, borrowing advice, pinching insights.
What catch my eye are the simple yet massively powerful rules of human nature that
can be turned into practical tools to solve everyday coaching problems – the
ones you face all season long.
I am married with two sons (both of whom are rugby mad, like their Dad) and live
in Swansea, Wales.
Dan Cottrell, Editor