High performance without the contract: Building a top amateur programme
At Rochdale Rugby Club we set ourselves as sitting between grassroots authenticity and competing consistently well against semi-pro teams.
Rochdale Rugby Club has developed a serious rugby environment for ambitious players. Listen to this podcast series: reflecting on the past season; looking at the next season; and many live updates during the season. See Spotify and YouTube links below for full podcast series.
Episode 2 – Front Row Secrets with Neil Sunderland, Tom Callaghan and Andrew O’Brien
This episode is hosted by Richard Bradley interviewing a panel of Tom Callaghan, Neil Sunderland and Andrew O’Brien. We will explore the different experiences of front row rugby players and their importance to the game. We also want to help debunk some of the myths and secrets of the front row.
Whilst this is a serious conversation, we also want to have a bit of fun with the rivalry across the three front row positions and across the age grades. Listen to Tom Callaghan, Neil Sunderland and Andrew O’Brien express their views and talk through their own experience as players and coaches at Rochdale Rugby Club, reflecting on our development and what the future holds.
Episode timings
Chapter 1. Opening – 0:00 to 1:17
Chapter 2. Meet the Panel – 1:17 to 9:09
Chapter 3. Front Row Identity & Culture – 9:09 to 17:18
Chapter 4. The Scrum: Technique Verses Power – 17:18 to 24:01
Chapter 5. Training at Grassroots Level – 24:01 to 28:04
Chapter 6. Dark Arts and Reality Check – 28:04 to 32:37
Chapter 7. Front Row Lifestyle – 32:37 to 39:13
Chapter 8. Quick Fire Round – 39:13 to 52:29
Chapter 9. Wrap-up – 52:29 to 54:19
Chapter 9. Wrap-up – 52:14 to 53:21