Building the future of English rugby, with Steve Grainger

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In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, Dan Cottrell sits down with Steve Grainger, Executive Director of Rugby Development at England Rugby, for an open and thoughtful conversation about the state of the community game.

They explore how rugby is changing at grassroots level, from schools and clubs to coach education, workforce models, and the rise of T1 Rugby. Steve shares what has stayed stubbornly the same over decades, what has genuinely evolved since 2011, and where the biggest tensions now sit between tradition, participation, and sustainability.

This is a wide-ranging discussion about systems, people, and trade-offs, grounded in the realities of Sunday mornings, volunteer coaches, and the long-term health of the game. Essential listening for anyone involved in coaching, club leadership, or rugby development.

Five key takeaways

• Participation and sustainability matter as much as performance pathways in shaping the future of rugby.
• Community rugby thrives on resilience, not reliance, with clubs supported to solve problems locally.
• T1 Rugby is designed to reflect the core logic and values of rugby union, not just offer a non-contact alternative.
• Coach development is moving toward mentoring, peer learning, and flexible digital access rather than courses alone.
• The best future experience for young players will prioritise enjoyment, belonging, and learning over rigid tradition. 

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