Canterbury Rugby's Coaches Corner

In this episode, Riki gets to chat to with L. David Marquet, former submarine captain of the USS Santa Fe and renowned author of Turn the Ship Around!. David shares his unique insights on leadership, drawing from his experience turning a struggling crew into one of the best-performing teams in the Navy.  Key topics include:  Driving for Excellence: How leaders can set high standards and inspire teams to continuously improve.  Thinking and Action: The importance of aligning thought with action for effective decision-making.  Shifting to a Learning Zone: Why fostering a culture of learning leads to better long-term outcomes.  Leadership is About the People: David emphasizes that leadership is not about the leader, but about empowering those you lead.  Bias of Action and Ownership: How encouraging a bias towards action can foster a deeper sense of ownership and responsibility in teams.  We also dive into some of the key principles from David's book, such as:  Control the Clock: Instead of rushing to decisions to prove competence, take the time to ensure the best possible outcome.  Improve Outcomes, Not Just Prove Ability: Focus on making meaningful progress rather than simply demonstrating skill.  This conversation is packed with practical lessons for anyone looking to lead with purpose and create a high-performance environment. Don't miss it!   

We're dipping into the archives for some of our most iconic chats. This week we revisit the 2023 sit down with former All Blacks coach Sir Steve Hansen.

We're dipping into the archives for some of our most iconic chats. This week we revisit the 2023 sit down with Performance Coach, Owen Eastwood.

We're dipping into the archives for some of out most iconic chats. This week we revisit the 2023 sit down with Robbie Deans

We're dipping into the archives for some of our most iconic chats. This episode we revisit the 2023 sit down with Sir Wayne Smith.

Nathan Wallis is a father of three & foster parent with a professional background in child counselling, teaching and social service management. He lectured in Human Development at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand and was also a board member and senior trainer with the national body responsible for the dissemination of neuroscientific research to professionals. He has developed a reputation as a lively and engaging speaker who uses humour and plain language to make this complex topic come to life. Nathan is a regular on Radio and Television shows in New Zealand, sharing his expertise on child development. In 2010 he founded a private training consultancy, X Factor Education Limited, with the goal of facilitating easy to understand professional development training reflecting the latest neuroscience discoveries and their practical implications for everyday practice. Since then he has been in hot demand, delivering well over 200 presentations year in New Zealand Australia and internationally.

In this episode, Riki chats with Associate Professor and coach developer Ian Renshaw. Ian's pioneering work on constraints-based coaching is helping coaches create engaging, effective, and transferable training sessions. Discover how manipulating constraints can enhance skill development, foster creativity, and improve performance in real-game scenarios. Tune in to learn practical strategies for implementing this innovative approach in your coaching practice. 

In this enlightening episode, Riki sits down with Glenn Fyall, a senior lecturer at the University of Canterbury to delve into the core of what coaching truly is. Glenn shares his expertise on how adopting a reflective approach and fostering a learning mindset can transform not just your individual performance as a coach but also elevate team dynamics success.

It's not every day that you get to hear how New Zealand's most successful Super Rugby Franchises work. In this Ep Riki spends time with Crusaders Team Manager Shane Fletcher. Sharing his insights into what keeps the Crusaders wheels in motion, he's the man behind the team keeping things well oiled. You'll hear how important it is to know your people and how they work, but also how having trademarks that represent your team can inspire a new level of standards. 

If you're reading this, you're already committed to professional development and understand its importance. But how far are you willing to stretch yourself to grow? In this episode, Riki sits down with his good friend Ross Doneghan, Head Coach of the Richmond Women's team in London. Ross has travelled all the way to Christchurch to attend the Crusaders International Academy for coaches and learn from New Zealand's most successful Super Rugby franchise. With an insatiable appetite for learning, Ross shares why it was crucial for him to make this journey and how it has helped him refine his craft. Tune in to be inspired by Ross's dedication, insights, and the lengths he's willing to go for professional growth. 

Coaching can be frustrating, especially when dealing with challenging players. In this episode, Riki chats with Rolleston Principal and E Tū Tāngata ambassador, Simon Moriarty, about transforming your most difficult players into your biggest champions. Simon, who navigates the unpredictable world of children and adults daily, shares practical examples and strategies from his extensive experience. Discover how to turn disruptive players into positive influences, ensuring a better experience for your entire team. Don't miss this insightful episode packed with actionable advice. 

What are you doing to ensure your players return year after year? If you're struggling to come up with fresh ideas, this episode will help clear the brain fog! Join Riki as he talks with GE Medical Industrial Designer Doug Dietz, a world leader in design thinking. Doug's innovative approach keeps the user at the forefront of his designs, leading to children eagerly asking their parents for another turn in his MRI machines. If exploring design thinking sounds like the key to revitalising your training sessions, hit play and get inspired.    Ted Talk | here

Are you an ambitious coach eager to learn the secrets of high-performance coaching? Join Riki as he sits down with esteemed High Performance Coach Developer, Richard (RJ) Smith. With over 20 years of experience, RJ shares invaluable insights and wisdom from his extensive career. Listen in as he recounts his journey working with elite coaches in rugby and the Olympics, and his consultancy with some of New Zealand's largest companies. Don't miss this episode filled with rich stories and practical advice that promises to elevate your coaching game.    Links: https://www.lightsmith.co.nz/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-smith-nz/ 

This week Riki spends time with legendary netball coach, Leigh Gibbs. Leigh shares her years of experience on how having the mindset of ‘they're not your players' will help grow your self-awareness so you can focus on developing your players as people and not just athletes.    Leigh leads Netball New Zealand's as Community Coaching Manager and with her combined international coaching experience her insight is truly valuable to all coaches and her stories will help you find ways to apply what she's learnt into your own coaching or leadership roles.  

For a delightful twist, Riki teams up with two remarkable individuals: Kyle Mclean, Director and Creator of the IntaSport App, and Jay Carter from New Zealand Golf. These two gentlemen are not only hosts of their own phenomenal podcasts but also esteemed figures in their respective fields. In this engaging conversation, the trio shares their recent musings and curiosities, offering listeners a candid glimpse into their worlds. Join us for a casual yet captivating chat as three blokes share insights, stories, and perhaps a few surprises along the way!  Resources  Kyle Mclean   https://www.thecoachinggig.com/  Jay Carter  https://talkingperformancepod.com/ 

In a dynamic sport like Rugby, team cohesion is paramount. Join Riki in an insightful conversation with researcher and international hockey coach, Pam Richards. Pam's expertise extends beyond coaching skill; her research delves into the intricacies of decision-making and the development of mental models to foster synchronicity within teams. This episode offers a window into Pam's groundbreaking work, providing valuable insights and practical advice for enhancing team performance. Don't miss out on the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Pam's methods and how to apply them effectively within your own teams.    

In this episode Riki explores behaviour driven coaching to help inspire players/ athletes to be long time learners and lovers of their sports.  Wayne Goldsmith is a renowned figure in the realm of coaching and coach development, celebrated for his transformative impact on the sporting world. With an illustrious career spanning over three decades, Goldsmith has emerged as a sought-after authority, guiding coaches towards excellence and athletes to unparalleled success.  As a distinguished coach developer, Goldsmith has collaborated with a diverse array of sports organizations globally, leaving an indelible mark on their coaching methodologies. His expertise lies not only in honing technical skills but also in cultivating a holistic approach to coaching that encompasses leadership, communication, and mental resilience.  Goldsmith's commitment to coach development extends beyond conventional boundaries, as he employs innovative strategies to empower coaches to adapt to the dynamic challenges of the modern sports landscape. His influential workshops and seminars have become a cornerstone for aspiring and seasoned coaches alike, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.  A prolific author and speaker, Wayne Goldsmith's insights are not confined to the sporting arena; they resonate across disciplines, making him a sought-after mentor and advisor. His unwavering dedication to elevating coaching standards has left an enduring legacy, shaping the future of sports coaching worldwide.  Resources  Website: https://wgcoaching.com/  LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/wayne-goldsmith-coaching  Podcast  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/sports-thoughts/id1451687616  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3OkBA6K2AQ7QQxEU7vNt5K?si=686a3de4baf74b62 

For many of us, coaching is a labour of love—a fusion of our passion for sports and our desire to work with people. In this enlightening episode, Riki engages in a heartfelt conversation with John O'Sullivan, the CEO and Founder of Changing the Game Project. John's profound dedication to youth sports shines through as we explore the pivotal question: How do we maintain the joy in youth sports and become the kind of coach who leaves a lasting, positive impact on those we mentor? Join us as we uncover valuable insights and strategies for fostering a culture of joy and empowerment in youth sports with one of the foremost advocates in the field!  Resources  Website - https://changingthegameproject.com/   

This week, Riki engages in a captivating conversation with the recently appointed Los Pumas Coach, Brad Mooar. Brad opens up about his coaching philosophy, revealing how it shapes his identity both personally and professionally. Join us as he shares his insights on transitioning from coaching clubs to coaching at the National level. 

Get ready to embark on a fascinating journey in this week's episode as Riki hops aboard his magical school bus to chat with Professor Cliff Abraham from Otago University. Together, they explore the intriguing question: Can you teach an old dog new tricks? Professor Abraham, with his profound expertise in the neural mechanisms of memory, sheds light on this age-old query. As a pioneer in neuroscience research and education at the University of Otago, Professor Abraham's insights are nothing short of enlightening. Join us as we delve into the realm of memory and neuroscience with a true expert in the field! 

Get ready to kick off the season of pods with an electrifying start! In this week's episode, Riki is joined by none other than Aaron Webb, the Academy Manager of the Crusaders.      Riki delves deep into the inner workings of the Crusaders academy, uncovering the secrets behind their phenomenal success. Prepare to be astonished as Aaron spills the beans on the academy's winning strategies and strengths that have propelled them to the top. This episode promises to be a game-changer, offering invaluable insights and surprises that you won't want to miss! 

Riki is joined by Coaches Corner producer and Canterbury Rugby's Communications Executive Josh Bamber to celebrate 50 episodes of the Coaches Corner podcast! The boys talk their favourite episodes and potential future guests, as well as diving into the world of refereeing, with Josh a Premier Referee here in Canterbury.

Today's Coaches Corner episode is a little bit different to our usual programming, as Riki talks to Canterbury Rugby's Game Developer's Craig Mullan, Emma Dermody and Nathan Brown in a general conversation about coaching, following the delivery of the World Rugby Level 2 Developing Rugby Coaches course two weeks ago. Disclaimer: some of today's audio may sound a little distorted due to issues in the recording!

This week we explore the fascinating intersection of language, psychology, and sports coaching and in this special episode, we're diving deep into the world of sociolinguistics with renowned researcher Dr. Nick Wilson.   Dr. Wilson has dedicated his career to unravelling the intricate ways words and language shape our perceptions and behaviours, and today, we'll uncover the profound implications of this in the realm of coaching.    We'll discuss how the words coaches choose can be a game-changer in unlocking a player's potential or stifling their growth. Join us as Dr. Wilson shares insights on the psychology behind communication, highlighting the subtle yet powerful impact of language on motivation, confidence, and teamwork.   Whether you're a seasoned coach looking to refine your approach or a player striving to understand the influence of words, this episode promises to be enlightening. So, tune in as we uncover why coaches should carefully consider the words they use and how they can truly empower the athletes they mentor.

In this episode, Riki chats with Lee Padmore from Mainland Football. Lee takes Riki through his football coaching career and some of the biggest challenges and lessons he has learnt along the way. They dig into topics like being a reflective coach and having courageous conversations with yourself, how important having a support network is and at the heart of everything you do has to be the people.  

As a coach, I'm sure you've spent many hours on the training field trying to help develop your players' decision-making abilities or you've been scratching your head on why a player did one thing, when it was clear they should have done another. Today, I'm joined cognitive psychologist, author and the pioneer of naturalistic decisions making Gary Klein.

Riki sits and chats with Mainland Football Chief Executive Martin Field-Dodgson. They spend a bit of time reminiscing about old times, but at the core of their conversation, it's about seeing opportunities for their potential, rather than looking for reasons around why you wouldn't do them. 

How can an Oxford Mathematics professor help with coaching? The world of maths is more than just addition and multiplication and you'll hear why as Riki talks to author and professors Marcus du Sautoy about his book Thinking Better; The Power of Shortcuts. This eye opening conversation will help you better understand the mindset of a mathematician and that there is a lot of crossover on how they think and how you and your players could think better when problem-solving difficult situations.

In this episode, Riki's joined by Performance and Organisational Psychologist Andy Longley from Coach-up about Emotional Intelligence and Psychological Safety. Andy will take you through the steps to build both trust as well as how you can create a psychological safe learning environment to help build your team and coaching staff performance.    Resources  Website - https://www.coachup.academy/our-coachup-coaches  LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/andy-longley-psychio-and-coachup 

What does it take to make players feel like they belong and how can you become a more relationship focused coach, rather than being transactional? Riki unpacks creating a sense of Belonging with performance coach and award-winning author Owen Eastwood. They are also joined by China's Womens 7's coach and friend of the show Blair Baxter, who shares his experience using Owens work and how he's implemented it into some of the environments he's coached.    Owen has worked with some of the most successful sporting and business teams around the world from the All Blacks and England Football to Nato. His experience and knowledge around the ancient rituals aren't revelational they're practical, simple and beneficial to acknowledge what has worked for centuries.    Resources  LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/owen-eastwood-4867a39  Belonging - https://www.amazon.com/Belonging-Owen-Eastwood/dp/1529410312/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=Belonging&qid=1690320931&sr=8-5   

Compassion and Empathy was the unexcepted theme to this episode when Riki talks with former All Blacks Coach Sir Steve Hansen on why it's so important to advocate for your players. Sir Steve gives you a great insight to his journey coaching journey and how his experiences have shaped him as a coach and at the heart of it is his love for his players. 

Have you ever wondered why when you've introduces a new skill or drill to help improve performance, but the opposite happens? In this episode Riki talking to the creator of the Learning Pit, educator James Nottingham. You'll hear from James the journey a player will go through when they are learning or developing a new skill and he'll also give you some great stratagies to help support your players out of the Learning Pit.     Resources   LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/jamesnottingham  Website - LearningPit.org 

Accountability and Self-Motivation are just two of the qualities that it takes to be a jet pilot and, in this conversation, Riki talks to Jet Pilot instructor Theon Te Koeti on how do you train fighter pilots and how important their briefing and debriefing meetings are so important and how he currently implementing this bottom-up approach to the medical industry and how we can adapt it to our sporting team environments.  Resources  LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/tkdicerra  Website - https://www.dicerra.com/home  LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/dicerra/?originalSubdomain=ca   

In this episode, Riki chats with New Zealand Rugby's, Participation Development Manager Mike Hester about participation and the importance of why making the game centred around the participants will keep our game growing and moving forward and how being at the edge of innovation and sharing ideas helps that growth.  If you have some feedback or want to join the show, please email Riki on riki.tahere@crfu.co.nz

Today, Riki is joined by Joe Maddock to talk everything attacking rugby and diving deep into everything from setting up your attack to how you can coach it. 

Riki is joined by UC's Sarah-Kate Millar and Susan Dawson to talk about skill acquisition and how this translates into a coaching environment. For feedback on today's show, please email Riki at riki.tahere@crfu.co.nz

Thank you for tuning into today's episode, as we dip our toes into the world of motivational interviewing and find out how to have better conversations with your players to help get the most out of them and we've got no better guest than Dr Joel Porter. Dr Joel Porter is a clinical phycologist and is a Motivational Interviewing Trainer, right here in New Zealand.  

Riki chats to fellow Game Developer Mark Croft on his new role amongst the Canterbury Rugby team, his journey in coaching and what he finds important in the world of coaching, from skill and culture development.

This was meant to be a conversation around leaning into professional development from the most unlikeliness of places, but it quickly turned into a conversation about the art of coaching and how important it is to see the skill within the drill and why asking questions of yourself and your athletes is the key to unlocking your coaching potential. 

Hear from one of the best in the business about how to develop your teams scrum and you don't need to be a forwards coach. Dan Cron, current Matatū & Black Fern set piece coach takes Riki through how he prepares his forwards to put their heads into the dark places with really easy practical tips and drills you can do with your forwards pack regardless of how many numbers you have and with minimal equipment. Dan awesome shares why he loves coaching so much and will take you on his global rugby coaching journey and how he's done a bit of a 360 from where he started out coaching to what he's currently doing at the moment. 

Jimmy Sinclair joins Riki once again, this time, in his new capacity as the FPC Head Coach. Hear about how the new season is shaping up, and the excitement that coaching in a new environment brings.

What type of environment have you set up for your players to flourish? Hear from one of the world's best Kendra Cocksedge talk about what type of environments have helped her be at her best. Kendra and Riki also give some great examples on how you can help establish a similar environment. 

Riki chats to Canterbury NPC Head Coach Marty Bourke on his journey to Canterbury and coaching. The pair also delve into the importance of the club game, being honest in difficult situations and what it's like coaching in the NPC competition.

In this episode, Riki catches up with Crusaders General Manager for High Performance Angus Gardiner, Crusader #7 and Canterbury Man #1401, to talk about his role in building and supporting two of the most successful rugby teams in the world. Angus provides a unique insight into the world of both playing and management, and provides Riki with a insight into the behind-the-scenes operation of High Performance sport.

Have you got a good team culture? What makes your culture so great? Struggling to answer this questions? In this episode Riki talks to world renowned Change Phycologist, Best Selling Author and Co-Host of the High Performance Podcast Damian Hughes and why developing a culture built on commitment is the driving force behind long lasting success and why integrity is the key ingredient to being an effective leader.    Resource  Instagram – @liquidthinker  LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/damian-hughes-a376121/  Website – https://liquidthinker.com/  Podcast – https://www.thehighperformancepodcast.com/  

What does it take for high performance teams to work effectively together? In this episode Riki takes it to the extreme with Wingsuit Flying, Stuntman extraordinaire and Speeding riding pioneer JT Holmes. They jump into topics like, what does it take to train the unthought of, How to feel confident to perform on the knifes edge of danger, how do you navigate having a cool mind and why is it key to unlocking inner performance.    Resources  Instagram – @jtholmesjr   Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/jtholmesjr  Website – https://www.redbull.com/nz-en/athlete/jt-holmes-red-bullBook –   YouTube - https://youtu.be/8PR3UW-SMxs 

How does your brain work? In today's conversation Riki talks with Cognitive Psychologist and Aurthor Chantel Prat.    Chantel breaks everything down for Riki from having lopsided brains, what Hebbian Learning is and what can we learn form the brains of London Taxi Driver, in a super insight way, giving practical examples to help coaches be aware of what might be happening up in the top two inches.     Resource  LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/chantel-prat-a5296b4/  Website – https://www.chantelprat.com/  Book – https://www.chantelprat.com/book.html   

In this episode of the Canterbury Rugby Coaches Corner Podcast, host Riki sits down with legendary rugby coach Wayne Smith to discuss the importance of being a curious coach. With years of experience coaching some of the top rugby teams in the world, Smithy shares his insights into what sets successful coaches apart from the rest.     Smithy explains that curiosity is essential for coaches to keep learning and improving their craft. He shares examples from his own coaching career, including his time coaching the All Blacks and the Black Ferns, as well as his playing days, where he always sought to learn from other coaches and players to develop new ideas and strategies.     Riki and Smithy also discuss the benefits of collaboration and building a strong coaching team. They share tips on how to foster an environment of trust and respect among coaches, and how to encourage open communication and feedback to continuously improve.     Throughout the episode, Smithy emphasizes the importance of being adaptable and willing to try new things as a coach. He encourages coaches to take risks and not be afraid of failure, as it is through failure that we learn and grow.     Overall, this episode is a must-listen for any coach looking to improve their skills and take their team to the next level. With insights from one of the greatest rugby coaches of all time, Riki and Smithy provide practical advice on how to be a curious coach. 

Explore the power of DISC Profiling and why better understanding your own behavioural tendencies and your players could unlock the potential that you know is within. In this episode Riki chats to researcher and CEO of Athlete Assessments Elizabeth Masen. Liz unpacks DISC profiling, as Riki heads back down the rabbit hole of decision making, and the potential power why understanding DISC profiling of your players could help you see them in a different light on the field 

Riki discusses creating a new culture with educational consultant Neill O'Rielly. In their chat, you'll hear how Neill's upbringing and a special teacher he had provided a profound impact on him. They also unpack everything from how to combine 2 worlds or in this case 2 schools, what leadership looks like and how understanding your whole story to drive culture is one of the main building blocks to help bringing the people you're leading along on the journey with you. 

Riki is joined by Shadowbox Training's John Schmitt to talk about Focussing on Decision Making, and how this can be applied when coaches go about preparing for training sessions and games.