Curtis Bradford - Knowing Your Players

The Journey of a Grassroots Rugby Coach (More Tracksuits less Business Suits)

This week episode is with Curtis Bradford

Curtis began playing as a child in Wales, He has since used Rugby as a passport to travel and to take his first steps into coaching.

While playing across Europe, Asia and in Australia, Curtis also worked in development officer roles with the Welsh Rugby Union, Kuala Lumpur Tigers and NSW Rugby.

In 2018, Curtis stopped playing due to a lengthy run of concussions.

At this point Curtis moved to Austria to begin working with the national teams in the developing rugby nation, as well as a director of rugby role at RC Graz, guiding them to their first ever national championship.

Since the interview Curtis has taken his next steps and moved to Italy to coach VII Torino.

During our chat we spoke about Managing teams and building connections with parents, partners.

We also discussed getting the balance right when you have new players and experienced players in the same environment and coaching and skill development in a non rugby country.

Curtis has seen many different scenarios across grass roots sport and even in performance roles. Since the interview Curtis has taken his next steps and moved to Italy to coach VII Torino.

Curtis’s Coaching experience.

Newcastle Emlyn Juniors (2013-2017)

Ceredigion county u15 and under 19 (2014-2017)

Friends of Rwandan Rugby (two tours 2015 & 2016)

Åland Stags Men’s team (2015)

WRU Development officer (2015-2017)

Newcastle Emlyn 2nd team (2015-2017)

Kuala Lumpur Tigers player/coach/development officer (2017)

Cobra Rugby club juniors (2017)

Byron Bay Rugby club player/coach and women’s coach (2018)

Rugby Austria 7s head coach (men and women) and Men’s XVs attack coach (2018-2022)

With a wide variety of experiences across nations but also levels,