Hampshire RFU Coaching Conference 2025: A World Cup Year Celebration of Learning and Inspiration

In a landmark World Cup year, Hampshire RFU welcomed over 80 coaches from 18 clubs and 5 colleges to its 2025 Coaching Conference — a day packed with insight, innovation and inspiration. Held at Totton College, the event brought together coaches from across the age grade and senior game to share knowledge, challenge ideas and raise the bar for coaching across the county.

With a programme designed to reflect this years women’s world cup and its impact on the game, the line-up of CPD (continuing professional development) was nothing short of outstanding. From grassroots to performance environments, the day showcased the very best in coaching thinking — all delivered in the collaborative, inclusive spirit that defines rugby in Hampshire.

Celebrating Coaching Excellence

The conference also hosted the annual Hampshire RFU Coaching Awards, recognising two exceptional coaches who embody the values, commitment and impact of great coaching:

Age Grade Coach of the Year – Andy Stevens (Barton Peveril College & Ellingham and Ringwood RFC)
Andy has made an outstanding contribution to both club and college rugby. He coaches the U16s at Ellingham and Ringwood RFC and both the men’s and women’s teams at Barton Peveril College — leading them to become the last remaining state school in the Roslyn Park 7s. Andy is also the lead coach for the Bath U16 PDG (Player Development Group), playing a vital role in shaping the next generation of talent.

Senior Coach of the Year – Theo Rhodes (Trojans FC)
Theo’s achievements in 2024/25 speak for themselves. Coaching two women’s teams to promotion — each with only one loss all season — Theo has helped propel Trojans’ women’s rugby to new heights. The club’s first team now competes in Championship 1 South, making them the highest-placed women’s team in Hampshire and the top side outside the Premiership.

Standout Sessions

The morning featured a truly memorable session “On Both Sides of the Ball” led by former England Women’s Head Coach Simon Middleton. With 26 U16 Girls PDG players taking part, coaches filled their notebooks and fired off questions as Simon broke down principles of attack and defence in dynamic, player-led sessions.

After a great lunch and a networking break, the afternoon brought a practical, high-tempo session delivered by Bath Rugby’s PDG coaching team. With 20 PDG players on hand, the focus was on conditioned games for learning — challenging coaches to adapt and apply the constraints for their own contexts. The pitch-side dialogue was rich and reflective, sparking ideas to take straight back to clubs and schools.

The day closed with an impactful and myth-busting session on Inclusive Coaching: SEND in Rugby. Coaches explored the importance of inclusive practices, gained awareness of the support available, and were introduced to key resources from the RFU to make rugby truly a game for all.

From elite insight to grassroots innovation, the 2025 Hampshire RFU Coaching Conference was a celebration of the coaching community’s energy, creativity and shared passion for the game.

For more information on coaching in Hampshire, resources, and the full list of Hampshire RFU and RFU CPD opportunities, visit Coaching in Hampshire