Head Coach

Two coaches? No problem

All our coaches at Dragon's are parent volunteers.

If you would like to get involved with your children's team, we would love it. Coaching and referring courses are run over the course of the year for those who would like to take their coaching to the next level. Please get in touch with our head coach Craig Norwood on headcoach@dragonsrugbyclub.com

Head Coach team photo 2017

Craig Norwood is our Club Head Coach and is responsible for driving the coaching program and supporting coaches across the age groups

 

About Craig

I completed Physical Education and Science degrees at University of Otago. During my PE degree, I did a NZ Coaching Level 2 Certificate and this is where my coaching career really kicked off. I coached the U14 and U16 at Otago Boys High school (no I didn't coach Ritchie Macaw!), and I was a player coach for my U19 team from the university. I played rugby until I left NZ as a 24-year-old.

Next I played in Sweden where I was a player/coach for the Stockholm Exiles. Then kids came along and I got back into coaching with Ripper Rugby for my 5-year-old on freezing cold Saturday mornings in Wellington. From there it has not really stopped. Have spent 7 seasons coaching my daughters Netball team and joined Dragons in 2015!

My coaching philosophy is pretty simple: keep kids in sport for life. Rugby is a tough game so kids need skills to protect themselves first and then go on to thrive. Introducing core skills in the younger age groups, by developing strength and conditioning as they grow (whilst keeping them safe). Then introducing individual skills as soon as they are able handle it.

However,  the most important thing is the value of team work. I don't think there is a greater game where everyone plays their part for the collective goal. Tall or short, big or small, there is a place on the rugby field for everyone; which is what makes rugby the greatest sport in the world.

 

If you have any questions or comments please contact Craig on headcoach@dragonsrugbyclub.com

The Coaches Blog

Inside Running Academy New Zealand is proud to announce its partnership with Dragons Rugby Club Singapore

By Dragons Rugby Club | January 18, 2018

Inside Rugby Academy- 4 week Scholarship Opportunity   Dragons are delighted to announce its partnership with Inside Rugby Academy, New Zealand’s International Rugby Academy based near Tauranga in the North Island. The opportunity involves a full-time rugby training schedule with accelerated player development. Players are also placed in local clubs and school teams putting into…

Food For Rugby: 15 foods that will make you perform better

By Dragons Rugby Club | January 8, 2018

Food For Rugby: 10 foods that will make you perform better In order to maximise their performance in training and matches, players need to understand the importance of food for rugby and their role in the working of the body. 1. Chicken & Turkey Chicken breast or turkey is a very lean protein, and it can…

The Year Ahead: England: NatWest 6 Nations Championship – Can England Rugby make history with a third title in a row?

By Dragons Rugby Club | January 6, 2018

We’re looking in-depth at how each team got on in 2017 and what they’ve got to look forward to in 2018. Never before have a side won the Championship three years in a row, but that is the task now facing Eddie Jones and England. After a Grand Slam in 2016 and another crown last…

What a team try from England Rugby ! 👏 – NatWest 6 Nations

By Dragons Rugby Club | January 6, 2018

Our New Dragons World Rugby Coaching Level 1

By Dragons Rugby Club | September 14, 2017

Congratulations to Dragons Coaches Jason Latto, Danny Goh, Brad Santo, Gavin O’Reilly and U15 player Cameron Archibold on successfully completing WR Coaching Level 1.

Junior Rugby Clubs Singapore -JRCS League Finals Day 2017

By Dragons Rugby Club | September 14, 2017

  Junior Rugby Clubs Singapore.  The Junior Rugby Clubs (Singapore) is looking to grow the great sport of rugby on this fantastic island that is Singapore. Source: Junior Rugby Clubs Singapore – Home

Nutrition for the Adolescent Athlete – Sports Dietitians Australia (SDA)

By Dragons Rugby Club | July 27, 2017

NUTRITION FOR THE ADOLESCENT ATHLETE SDA and Griffith University have developed a world-first position statement containing recommendations on sports nutrition for athletes aged 12-18 years, who have involvement with organised training and competition. Below is the ‘Executive Summary’ of that published paper. About Adolescent Health Ask any parent of a teenager and they probably have…

Rugby World Cup 2015: What do the referee’s hand signals actually mean? Nigel Owens’ fascinating guide to the laws – Wales Online

By Dragons Rugby Club | July 24, 2017

So what do the strange hand signals actually signify? One of the world’s best refs gives a brilliant step by step guide This is not soccer is the famous catchphrase of Nigel Owens, Wales’ top rugby referee and widely respected as one of the finest officials on the planet. And football it most certainly is…

The World’s Toughest Training Session | 7s vs The World Episode 1 – YouTube

By Dragons Rugby Club | July 17, 2017

The Best Hands In Sport | 7s vs The World Episode 2

By Dragons Rugby Club | July 17, 2017

No Guard, No Play!

Mouthguards ‘should be the norm in sport’ – BBC News

By Dragons Rugby Club | August 6, 2017

Mouthguards ‘should be the norm in sport Sporting injuries are a leading cause of adults losing teeth. But Dr Lyndon Meehan, an NHS dentist who also works for the charity Dental Trauma UK, argues people playing sport should wear mouthguards to protect their teeth. We all take our teeth for granted. Often, it is only…

Rugby World Cup: Don’t Forget To Wear A Mouthguard Kids!

By Dragons Rugby Club | August 6, 2017

A health charity has warned that children could be faced with trying times if parents don’t make sure their kids wear mouthguards this Rugby World Cup, as oval fever continues to sweep across England. With the 2015 tournament well underway and hopes of a home nation triumph starting to build, thousands have kids have been…

Kids playing rugby must wear mouthguards, warns charity

By Dragons Rugby Club | August 6, 2017

Kids playing rugby must wear mouthguards, warns charity The Rugby World Cup is just around the corner, a detail obvious here at Smile-on News as staff members from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales have been eagerly talking up their nation’s chances for some time now. Ahead of the kick-off on Friday, the British Dental Health…

Rugby: NZRFU introduces no mouthguard, no play rule – NZ Herald

By Dragons Rugby Club | August 6, 2017

Rugby: NZRFU introduces no mouthguard, no play rule New Zealand domestic rugby players caught playing without a mouthguard will be sent from the field, under a new penalty aimed to improve player safety. The New Zealand Rugby Union Board (NZRU) has approved an amendment to its domestic safety law which will give referees the power…