Ben Powell - ETA Technical Director Interview

In this interview on the week of the #TouchNationals, the ETA's new Technical Director, Ben Powell (pictured centre as the NW Blades women's squad regional coach), has spent the Winter months working with England Touch colleagues to develop the organisation at the elite level.  He takes this interview opportunity to give the Technical Director's planning perspective.

ETA:  From an England elite squad perspective, what other initiatives do the ETA have in the pipeline?

Ben:  "We have a number of coaching courses planned for this year which will run alongside our NTS and CTS events this summer. We are currently planning courses and training weekends which will endeavour to 'up-skill' our National team coaches and our elite squads in the lead up to the Home Nations Tournament and beyond. In terms of our hopes for the Home Nations, we (England) will be going into every division very confident as we we look to capitalise on the achievements of the 2012 Euros in Trevisio and build towards the 2014 Euros to defend our crown. We are obviously expecting tough competition from the likes of Wales and Scotland throughout all divisions, however, no nation will be taken for granted. Personally, I am eager to see the implementation of the Women's 27 division, as it is not only a category that England should be well represented in, but it is a category that has really established itself in NTLs in Australia. Finally, one of our most important initiatives this season will be to continue the already established development of our referees. The England Touch Associations Director of Referees, Shelley, has been working very hard to ensure a number of Level 1 and Level 2 Refs courses run alongside most NTS and CTS events."

ETA:  Where do you view the priority sector as being for England Touch to target in their elite Touch progress campaign?

Ben:  "Although there are certain areas offering a very high return of 'Elite' standard players, we are trying to ensure that a diverse range of areas are being targeted and developed to push players through to the standards required to allow England Touch to compete in the international arena.  The current development of Touch Leagues within Universities and the O2 Touch League is very promising, and as our partnership with the RFU progresses, I am sure we will see not only the 'grass-roots' of both sports grow, but the Elite level too."

ETA:  How is England Touch hoping to work in the future with developing youth & grass roots through to elite level Touch?

Ben:  "In terms of grass-roots and youth development, it has very much been an 'upside down' process, for lack of a better phrase. With current results on a European stage indicating that England Touch is on the rise, we now need to push forward in ensuring that we are developing the stars of tomorrow for England Touch. Involving younger ages in Touch in England is a tough initiative due to how new the sport is, relative to the bigger codes of Rugby Union, Rugby League and Football. However, the aim is to increase the profile of Touch in England by raising the awareness of our NTS/CTS events, the introduction of 'Touch Taster Sessions' in conjunction with selected NTS/CTS events with involvement of elite players in these sessions, and our appointment of Regional Development Officers. With this we will enable a clear path for the involvement from grass-roots players through to international level.  Our Development Coordinator, Dave Cope, and High Performance Manager, Marnie Wills, have been working closely to establish these lines of involvement in our sport."