T1 Rugby CPL: Introducing Staff and Students to an Exciting New Format
What is T1 Rugby?
Secondary PE staff gathered alongside Mr Tristan and a group of Year 12 Sports, Exercise and Health Science (SEHS) students for an innovative Continued Professional Learning (CPL) session focused on T1 Rugby. The session provided a unique dual learning opportunity: staff explored this emerging sport format while our SEHS students gained practical insights into constraints-led approaches to coaching.
What is T1 Rugby?
As Mr Pemble, who led the session, explained, “T1 is a globally played format of non-contact Rugby. Since its inception three years ago, it has developed into a widely played sport in schools across the UK. Through the RFU’s ‘School Rugby Manager’ (SRM) initiative, its growth has been amplified and developed with strong links across schools and clubs established to benefit all involved.”
Mr Pemble has been at the forefront of this development, serving as one of only two initial School Rugby Managers. “I was lucky enough to be one of two initial SRM’s and as such have seen its development and growth first hand. As a format it is easy to pick up and play and is both fun and engaging. Being non-contact means it can be played mixed gender and age group and on almost any surface, making it highly versatile and adaptable.”
T1 in Asia and at Bangkok Patana
The format’s versatility is seeing it gain traction beyond the UK. “T1 is growing across Asia and was this year adopted as the official Rugby format for the Lao national games,” notes Mr Pemble. “Here at Bangkok Patana we are actively looking to work with students and with other schools to bring this format to new audiences. By working collaboratively, we hope to expose all involved to the brilliant physical and social benefits of this exciting new sport.”
A Learning Experience for All
The CPL session showcased the pedagogical value of T1 Rugby, with Year 12 SEHS students observing how constraints-led coaching principles can be applied in practice. This approach, which manipulates task, environmental, and individual constraints to shape learning, aligns perfectly with T1’s adaptable nature.
The hands-on session allowed staff to experience the game’s accessibility firsthand while our senior students developed their understanding of modern coaching methodologies—a valuable complement to their theoretical studies.
As Patana continues to explore opportunities to expand T1 Rugby within our community and beyond, this CPL session marked an important first step in building expertise and enthusiasm for this inclusive, dynamic sport.
