A programme to help parents coach junior rugby is proving popular and will continue next season, says CrestClean managing director Grant McLauchlan.

CrestClean will continue its partnership with LeslieRugby to deliver 50 CrestClean LeslieRugby Junior Rugby Team Coaching Programme sessions to local rugby clubs and schools throughout New Zealand this year.

Youngsters who took part in last season's junior rugby team coaching programme. Photo: Supplied.

The final coaching session of the 2016 round was held today at Mt Maunganui Club. The programme is aimed at junior rugby coaches and/or parents who are interested in coaching the game in the future.

It promotes fundamental skill development and makes it easier for junior team coaches to deliver a high value rugby practice. The programme also ensures players are given an enjoyable and beneficial experience, CrestClean says in a media statement.

Coaches receive a pocket-sized Skills and Drills booklet making it easier for them to train teams. The 2015 season, which was the second year CrestClean supported the grassroots rugby initiative, was a resounding success.

'The feedback from this year's coaching session attendees and clubs has given us the confidence to invest again in this great initiative,” says Grant.

'Club sport and physical activity plays a big part in the health and wellbeing of children. We're proud to support this endeavour to improve the coaching and grassroots rugby skill base in New Zealand.”

During each session, which are run by former Highlanders and Scotland captain John Leslie, a team of 12-year-olds demonstrate 14 core skills while he explains his coaching philosophies and tips for keeping the energy high and the game fun for kids.

John is looking forward to making this year's coaching sessions 'even better”.

'The feedback from each clinic has been overwhelmingly positive,” he says. 'They're making a positive difference for junior coaches. Last year, we distributed 1000 Skills and Drills booklets and this year we have 1200 printed to cater to the interest.”

The drill-training plan, which is effective and easy to implement, is based on the core fundamentals of rugby, says Grant.

'The content shows coaches how to control and manage the team. It keeps the kids moving and in rugby action for an hour of training. If session plans are completed correctly, each player will attempt between 300 to 400 skill attempts – do that for an average of 14 training sessions a year and each junior rugby player will attempt over 5000 core rugby skills,” says John.

Attendees have praised the 'great training flow and fitness” offered by each session.

'I don't have a rugby background but this training template makes it easy for me to coach a junior team with a smile and like a pro. It makes it easy for me as a busy parent to do a great job coaching the team.”