Graham Rowntree, England assistant coach and scrummaging coach for the British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa this summer, will be launching the Goodyear supported Rugby Ready programme at Willenhall RFC near Wolverhampton on Sunday January 18.

The event will see over 30 aspiring coaches participate in the safety programme which, over the course of three hours, will see them trained in match preparation, techniques and injury prevention and management.

Rowntree will be joined by Goodyear managing director Mark Brickhill as they launch the partnership and meet those participating in the unique scheme which aims to train around 4,000 coaches nationwide within the next 12 months.

The RFU will roll out the programme in association with sponsors Goodyear, who will contribute £300,000 over the next three years as the delivery partner, supported by a £75,000 grant from Sport England. The funding will be spent on equipment to ensure the highest standards of safety are maintained.

Rowntree, the former Leicester Tigers prop who was capped 54 times by England, is endorsing the Goodyear supported Rugby Ready programme.

"Having played at the highest level I was only too aware of the importance of physical preparation and sound techniques for the prevention of injury," Rowntree said.

"Safety is of paramount importance at all levels of the game from the Under-7s to the veterans and from the Community Game to England Rugby.

"When I was asked to support the Rugby Ready course I was delighted to be able to accept. This is a programme which is relevant to all coaches of the game by putting safety first through practical application as well as giving common sense advice and guidance.

"With partners Goodyear fully behind the Start Coaching - Rugby Ready course, coaches will have the benefit of the resources of quality products which put safety first."

Brickhill believes the Goodyear Rugby Ready scheme fits perfectly with the company's position as safety experts.

"As Goodyear MD, I see the shared commitment to safety and the demographic match between rugby enthusiasts and the Goodyear family target audience. Extending our safety commitment from funding coach training and kit to car safety checks at rugby clubs further demonstrates our shared commitment whilst also creating a sales opportunity for our customers which paysout the investment we have made." He said.

"As a both a dad and rugby coach myself, I'm absolutely delighted that there is such a strong fit and very proud that Goodyear will be helping develop and train coaches of the future."

Thomas Godfrey, Sport England Commercial Director said: "Sport England is pleased to support the RFU in delivering valuable opportunities for people to take part in more sport.

"By improving coaching knowledge and expertise, the Rugby Ready project will provide more rugby players with a quality sporting experience and an ultimately contribute to Sport England‘s goal of getting one million people doing more sport by 2012/13."

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