Tom Clough (Ulster Rugby): Lessons in Leadership

The Athletic Evolution Podcast

Tom Clough has spent the past 20 years negotiating the trials and tribulations of working in professional Rugby League & Rugby Union. Learning from mistakes he made as a coach, as well as the adversity of clubs going through administrations and relegations through to the highs of promotion. Tom now works as the Head of Athletic Performance at Ulster Rugby, where he has spent the past 4 seasons. Tom has learnt that whilst you can make quick progress going it alone as a practitioner, you can also make big mistakes. Now he fully invests in trying to facilitate a co-created training environment where players and staff can consistently develop and perform.

In this episode Tom discusses:

• His time at Bradford Bulls, Hull KR and a stint at Mike Boyle's facility.

• Facing tough times in Rugby League with relegation and administration.

• How these challenges also brought opportunities.

• The importance of coaching systems and processes.

• Guiding people rather than issuing directives.

• Meeting people where they are at and recruiting for knowledge/skills gaps

• The importance of recruiting slow and firing fast.

• The importance of collective CPD and productive discussions in a coaching team.

You can connect with Tom via his Twitter @TCloughie or his LinkedIn page.

Join us in Edinburgh, Scotland for the LTAD Network Workshop on February 25th & 26th, where Rob Anderson and Jared Deacon will be covering the LTAD Network pathway and all things adolescent training including the development of strength, power, speed and agility. Get your tickets now here!

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