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Russell is a carpet layer by trade and a rugby and touch coach in his spare time. He sees coaching as a great way to help upskill his community and offer a positive environment for young people to get better each day 鈥� in sport and in life.听

Tell us about your coaching career to date.听

I have coached rugby and touch teams for the past five years. I currently coach three teams 鈥� a Westlake Girls High School rugby team, a senior women鈥檚 team for Massey Kumeu at club level and a North Harbour Under 18 girls鈥� representative team.听听

I started coaching when my kids started playing. I still get on the field myself when someone is sick or injured, but my focus is on our community space.听

My past and present coaches inspire me to do what I do. It鈥檚 also a great opportunity to help upskill kids in our community and offer them a positive and fun way to compete with each other and be better each day in their sport and in life.听听

What do you think it takes to be an effective coach?听

To be an effective coach you need to be punctual, clear on what you want from your team, open to players鈥� input and able to build culture and connections.听

I鈥檓 lucky to have plenty of support from the clubs and union I coach for. I make sure I upskill regularly via online courses, and I鈥檓 in touch with the club and union to see what鈥檚 next and how I can do more for my team.听

What do you get out of coaching?听

I enjoy the sense of guidance coaching gives me. There are lightbulb moments that are so humbling I call them marshmallow moments - for me and the players!听

How do you make a difference in the lives of the people you coach?听

I鈥檝e experienced a couple of really positive but emotional moments with kids and their parents. One of the best pieces of advice I got was from a school 鈥� 鈥榚arn their trust and you will receive maximum effort from your athletes鈥�. At the end of the day, it鈥檚 all about culture and connection. We become family when we get that correct.听

What鈥檚 your favourite coaching experience to date?听

When parents ask if I鈥檓 coming back next year. Then I know I鈥檝e done my job as a coach both on and off the field. It鈥檚 the best feeling ever.听

Tell us more about what you do outside of being a volunteer coach?听

I鈥檝e been laying carpets for 22 years. When I鈥檓 not working, I spend time with my family who also play sport. So, if I鈥檓 not coaching, I鈥檓 supporting them! My wife Telisa manages our kids鈥� teams, so it鈥檚 a real family gig. And off-season we all play touch.听

鈥淲hen parents ask if I鈥檓 coming back next year. Then I know I鈥檝e done my job as a coach both on and off the field. It鈥檚 the best feeling ever.鈥�听