Week 1 of Erie Youth Flag Rugby is in the books.

Sixty-six U6 and U8 rug(ger)rats ran, tagged, tumbled, and laughed their way into a brand new season—two-thirds of them playing rugby for the very first time.

But the real story?

Nine parents stepped up to coach—only three of whom had ever played the game.

That means most of them are now coaching a fast-paced, continuous sport they’ve never played… to kids who’ve never played either. And what does that look like?

Brilliant.

Rugby is Built for Growth—On and Off the Field

There’s something uniquely powerful about rugby, especially in this form. The game is fast, inclusive, and constantly moving. Advantage can shift in a heartbeat. Everyone is engaged.

There are no fixed positions where only a few get the ball.

Everyone gets to run, catch, pass, tag, evade, and score.

In American football terms? Everyone’s a quarterback.

One coach described it as “a game of chess played at lightning pace”—and that’s exactly it. Which brings us to a key coaching reality:

You don’t call every move. You can’t. The game moves too fast.

Instead, you set the game plan, teach the principles, define expectations—and then step back.

That’s not just good coaching. That’s growth in action. It builds confidence, decision-making, creativity, and trust.

A Culture of Play That Drives Performance

This coaching style invites kids to take ownership—to stay focused, make decisions, support each other, and keep going even when it’s tough.

We reinforce this through Play Rugby USA’s Values in Action:

• Switch On – Focus and respect for why we’re here together

• Go Forward – Take action, even when the odds are against you

• Play What You See – Adapt in the moment, make space, support others

• Get There – Bring discretionary effort; chase back, support forward

• Try Makers, not just Try Scorers – Everyone contributes to the scoreboard

What you see on the field is support, challenge, cohesion, and joy.

The Leadership Lesson

Now imagine if our workplaces felt like that.

What if leadership wasn’t about controlling every move—but creating the conditions for people to play the game?

• To adapt in real time.
• To support one another under pressure.
• To celebrate how we play, not just what we achieve.

The best leaders don’t just run the play—they empower their teams to play the game.

They design for participation, not just performance.
They spark creativity, connection, and shared success.

Your Move

Here’s your challenge for the week:

What’s one way you can bring more game into your leadership?

Whether it’s inviting ownership, celebrating unseen contributions, or simply making space for play—remember:

We grow when the game is real.
We thrive when we’re trusted to play it.
And sometimes, the best coaching move… is to step back.