A former rugby sevens player himself, Mike Friday proceeded to become England Sevens\u2019 most successful coach to date, leading them to 10 titles during his tenure, while also securing a Commonwealth Games silver medal in 2006. He has also played a significant role in building legacies across the teams he has coached, including the Kenya Sevens and the USA Sevens teams.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Now taking up a new challenge at the GMR RPL, he described the league\u2019s unique appeal, stating, \u201cIt\u2019s a very innovative format, a perfect balance between international players and domestic players. When you\u2019re trying to grow the sport and build capability, it\u2019s crucial to include domestic players in that development. It\u2019s a fantastic experience for them, not only in-game time but more importantly in training time.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He explained how Indian players will benefit from the exposure they\u2019ll get throughout the tournament.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cDuring training, they get exposed to physical, technical, tactical and mental development from the senior international players, which they can then take back to their team and the next generation of Indian players,\" Friday reckoned. \u201cI love that cradle-to-grave idea - creating the legacy for Indian players tomorrow. I think that\u2019s what the RPL provides, allowing India to dare to dream and achieve their Olympic dream,\" he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Asked about coaching in this league format with top players who don\u2019t often play together, Friday called the experience \u201cunique, and one that will come with lifetime memories.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cPlayers who normally go head-to-head, country against country, come together to represent their region and the Indians of today and tomorrow. It\u2019s a special honour. We\u2019re here for a reason - not just to win, but to inspire Indian rugby players and help them become the best versions of themselves. That is humbling and very exciting.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
On the emerging domestic talent, Friday praised young players\u2019 resilience, especially Arjun Mahato. \u201cIt\u2019s very hard for Indian players. On occasions, they\u2019ve been thrown into the deep end, going under the water a lot. But the challenge is to survive in the deep water. They\u2019re improving every session. I tell them: you have to get it wrong to get it right - that\u2019s what they\u2019re doing and learning.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He singled out Arjun for rising to the challenge, saying, \u201cHe\u2019s confident, knows what to do, but more importantly, he\u2019s ready to discuss why. That\u2019s half the challenge. Indian players tend to wait to be told what to do, but they need to understand why we do it. Then they can teach rather than just be taught. Arjun is already embracing that.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
On the league\u2019s organisation and facilities, Friday was effusive in praise. \u201cThe league has done fantastically well. It\u2019s easy to look from the outside and think it\u2019s simple, but there\u2019s so much behind-the-scenes business. The RPL has done extremely well. There\u2019s been fantastic work getting all the owners on board and bringing in the best players and coaches in the world.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He singled out Arjun for rising to the challenge, saying, \u201cHe\u2019s confident, knows what to do, but more importantly, he\u2019s ready to discuss why. That\u2019s half the challenge. Indian players tend to wait to be told what to do, but they need to understand why we do it. Then they can teach rather than just be taught. Arjun is already embracing that.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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