The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
FORMER Sables coach, Colin Osborne will conduct open rugby coaching sessions in Harare as well as Bulawayo this week.
Osborne arrives in Zimbabwe on Tuesday with plans for him to have a session in Harare on Wednesday. The 63-year -old St Kitts born Briton will be in Bulawayo on Thursday before finding his way back to hold more sessions. His gatherings are meant for coaches and players.
Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) president Aaron Jani said they took advantage of Osborne’s trip to the country to afford local coaches and players an opportunity to benefit from his coaching experience.
“Colin Osborne has got family here, we just took advantage of his visit. He will work with coaches in Bulawayo and Harare,’’ Jani said.
A physical education qualified teacher, Osborne taught at Lord Malvern in Harare from 1984 to 1986. Osborne was the ZRU director of development and Sables coach from 1987 up to 1989. He returned to Zimbabwe in 1993 to hold a similar position up to 1996.
Osborne has been at Harlequins where he started off as Academy coach in 1996 before he became Academy director in 2005, first team backs coach in 2008 and now skills coach for the senior side, a position he has held from 2010.
During his time within the Academy set up, Osborne is credited with identifying and developing talent such as Jordan Turner-Hall, Chris Robshaw, George Lowe, George Robson as well as Mike Brown who have all played for England.
Meanwhile, United States of America-based Zimbabwean, Arnold Payne will conduct strength and condition, food and nutrition sessions. Jani indicated that Payne’s field sessions as well as seminars are meant for coaches and players. These will take place in Harare, Bulawayo and Mutare with all the provinces meant to benefit as those from outside these cities will also be able to travel to where the sessions will be taking place.
“Arnold Payne is coming to Zimbabwe to conduct strength and conditioning, food and nutrition sessions from 12 to 17 March. These are meant for the up skilling of the coaches, he will also hold field sessions with players. He will look at high performance and speed work. The idea is to have him in Harare, Mutare and Bulawayo,’’ Jani said.
Payne, a former Zimbabwe 400 metres record holder represented the country at the All Africa Games, Commonwealth Games and World Championships. He is the owner and founder of Payne Global Sports Management International.
