by Matt Slater
WALES women’s rugby head coach Rowland Phillips on his transition from men’s to women’s rugby.
Former Wales Rugby Union fullback and Wales women head coach, Rowland Phillips, explained the differences between men’s and women’s rugby and the need to create a new culture.
At USW’s recent Women and Sport Conference, the coach explained his experiences from both his playing and coaching career.
Phillips also shared his insight into women’s rugby though his daughter, Carys Phillips, who plays for both Ospreys and Bristol Ladies and has captained Wales at international level.
Phillips concentrated on the gap in both confidence and exposure that the women’s game has and what needs to be done to correct this.
“There is a belief that men play rugby to feel good, and women need to feel good to play rugby, I need to create a new culture to get more women involved,” he said.
“I need to be careful with what I’m saying to get the right message across. I need to create the right environment so you can feel confident enough to ask the right questions.”
“The key is that she will sacrifice exactly what he will sacrifice, it’s what I understand as a coach and others need to understand.”
