Rugby Coach Weekly Designing the Future: Inside England Rugby’s Girls’ Pathway
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Nov 19, 2025 Benny Williams, Girls PDG Coach Lead at England Rugby who designs the U16–U18 curriculum, discusses building a consistent, player-centred pathway. She outlines attack and defence principles like playing to best space and keeping ball and body moving. Practical session ideas, IDPs, and ways clubs can use the framework to develop adaptable, high-skill players are featured.
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Nine PDGs Centralise Girls Pathway
- England created nine under-18 Player Development Groups to centralise and standardise talent development.
- Benny led a collaborative curriculum design with pathway coaches and Mike Ashford to ensure consistency and Red Roses-aligned priorities.
Adaptability Is The Core Player Outcome
- The curriculum targets 'highly skilled and adaptable' players who can adjust skills (catch, pass, carry, kick, tackle) to match game context.
- Adaptability is emphasised as essential for in-game tactical shifts like halftime changes.
Use Manipulation And Walkthroughs To Teach Space
- Teach attacking principles like Play To Best Space and Ball And Body Always Moving, then let coaches design practices around them.
- Use manipulations and walking-through (TAO: through, around, over) to help players recognise space.