Developing Nigerian Rugby League our priority, says Martin Cricks

Development Manager for the European Rugby League (ERL), Martin Crick says that the key priority is to help develop the Nigerian Rugby League through Level 1 and 2 training for coaches and referees in the country.

In an exclusive chat with TheGuardian on Friday, the rugby coach described the ongoing level 1&2 Coaching and education course/ Referee level 1&2 course as the right step in the right direction, adding that Nigeria needs to develop its coaches to stand a good chance of moving from associate member of World Rugby League into a full member of the body.

“I am in Nigeria to help develop coaches and improve coaches below them via the Level 1 and Level 2 Courses. The last time I came to Nigeria, we had a Level 1 Course, but this time, we are doing an advanced course for the coaches. We aim to help spread the game in Nigeria. We need more players, and to get more players you need more coaches
Level 1 and 2

“Nigeria hopes to become a full member of the International Rugby League but at the moment, it’s just an associate member and to do that you have to have a certain of qualified coaches and referees, then you get all your grants which would help you develop the game tremendously so it is important to get coaches and referees accredited,” he said.

Crick then charged Nigeria to borrow a leaf from England where rugby is introduced to children right from the age of 6 rather than wait to be 20 before embracing the game. He added that Nigerian coaches stand a good chance to ply their trade abroad if they improve their coaching skills.

“Well, if the coaches improve their coaching, they will have the chance to coach with the Nigerian national team for example. If they move to another country and show that they are good, they can