Coach to Coach with Paul Morris

Former Richmond director of rugby Steve Hill talks to Cinderford director of rugby Paul Morris

Steve Hill: How and why did you get into coaching rugby?

My first coaching role was with the Old Patesians U14s in 1997- 98 and I took them through to U19 level. A great time.

How did you arrive in your current coaching role?

I spent 28 years at Old Patesians until I was 42. In 2000-01 I became assistant to Chris Raymond as Old Patesians 1st XV coach. In 2003 I joined Cheltenham North and became head coach in 2004; I joined Coney Hill as head coach in 2009 and in 2011 joined Cinderford to help develop a 2nd team (Cinderford United). In November 2015 I was offered the DoR role on a temporary basis which became permanent at the end of the season. I've now been in the role for eight years.

What is/was your occupation outside of coaching?

I am a caretaker at King's School (Gloucester). It's a great school.

What is your coaching philosophy?

I like to think we adapt any coaching style to the quality and type of players we have within our squad and therefore the playing style evolves.

So far what would you count as your most significant coaching achievement and more importantly why?

Without doubt the Gloucestershire U20s winning the County Championship for the first time in its history at Twickenham in 2008. We repeated it in 2009. A special group of players, representing your County and the magnificence of Twickenham made it magical. Adapting a style of play to suit that special group of players and winning is why it holds such a special place for me. The Old Patesians youngsters I coached won the 2001 GRFU County U17s Cup and 2003 GRFU U19s Cup and they run them very close!

What do you find the most challenging aspects of coaching?

Nowadays my age! I do less coaching now but enjoy watching every minute of training on Tuesday and Thursday. I also feel more like an HR manager than a director of rugby at times. Getting the correct attendance levels is always a challenge. When an important player is missing it is frustrating.

How do you measure your success as a coach?

It's probably too easy to say by winning and trophies. I know the hardest I've worked is when I've been in charge of my least successful sides. National One is a fantastic league and anyone can beat anyone on a given day. I do work hard and if Cinderford stay in National One this season that equally will be as much a measure of success as winning National Two South in 2017-18.

Has anyone been an mentor/ inspiration on your coaching journey?

There have been many – apologies to anyone I leave out. The late and much lamented Dick Lewis and Bob Redwood at Old Patesians. Chris Raymond at Old Patesians. Malcolm Kedward at Cheltenham North. Mike Hamlin at Coney Hill and Andy Deacon, Rob Worgan, Pete Bell and Rob Beavis at Cinderford. They've all inspired me, improved me, and shown faith in me – at crucial times when I needed it most. Ultimately though it's my beloved father Derek. He passed away in 2015, before I became DoR at Cinderford. He loved rugby and he has always been my main inspiration and remains my key motivator in everything I do now.

Where do you look to keep your coaching fresh?

Rugby will always keep evolving and you have to stay with it. Constantly adapting to players who mature and improve is exciting and invigorating. There are some very talented coaches and DoRs in National One and I'm always learning from them and our own coaches at Cinderford.

What is the most rewarding part about being a coach?

Winning as a team and the friendships you make for life by being involved in the greatest team sport of all. There's no substitute for playing but coaching and managing are a close second.

What two laws or aspects of the game would you change to make it a better experience?

If you don't put a lifting pod up as opposition in the lineout then you lose the right to gain a scrum from a not straight throw in won in the air. And get rid of the goal line drop out. It's ridiculous!

What needs to be done to strengthen community rugby?

The RFU need to reassess their financial commitment to English rugby from top to bottom. It's not all about the Premiership. Re-establishing Community officers within the County set ups would help. Basically the Community game and clubs need to know they are valued and appreciated. I don't think the RFU have come close to conveying an understanding of the community game for a decade or more now. It has to change.

What two words would your players use to describe you as a coach?

Honest and mad.

What advice would you give to anyone considering or just getting involved in coaching rugby?

Play for as long as you can and then coach. Don't look back and continually move on when you coach. Learn from your mistakes. Your best day in rugby is always still ahead of you. Mine still is.