Page 4 - William Brown 2017

Information, Inspiration and Influences

Client Interview

Throughout the development of my project, it will be very useful to have interactions between mysel f and a member of my target market. Meetings with Expert coaches, players and physiotherapists will be key for
me to advance on my product as they will offer their knowledge of the subject and this will enable me to combine all of that information to create a well rounded product that could be used by rugby players in day
to day training.

Luckily for me being an avid rugby player, I am able to access first hand knowledge of the breakdow n area from expert coaches and I can even use not only my own experiences but other player’s experi ences to
help me design the best jackal product available. One of my main experts will be Clive Bell, who ha s been involved around rugby for many years and has been in professional environments such as Newca stle
Falcons and Northampton Saints seeking top advice and information. Recently Clive has been given th e role as head coach of rising club Bury St Edmunds to manage their new academy set up. He is lives locally
so he will be a perfect candidate for me to ask questions and get him to work with me occasionally to develop my product.

On top of working with Clive, I have ex-professional rugby player Keith Fowles and high level club player James parry to again offer their expertise for me to design an effective jackal/strength and conditioning
piece of equipment that can be used in training. Also, to gain extensive knowledge into the strengt h and conditioning side of my product I will have access to expert physio advice from Rachel Duncom be of RD
Physiotherapy and Sports Science expert Carla Chapman.

Expert

Clive Bell (Head of Bury St Edmunds Rugby Academy Programme)

Ex-Player and now expert coach, Clive Bell is the perfect man to help give me the necessary informa tion for the jackal. Clive is a
specialist forwards coach and works a lot on the breakdown area. I asked Clive what he thought abou t my proposed product. He said
‘In the modern game, with players being quicker and more mobile, winning the ball at the breakdown is just as important as set piece
ball. The jackal is a skill that some people are not confident at performing and I believe your pro duct would help.’

I also asked Clive to explain to me what is the best position you can be in to safely but effective ly turn over the ball at the breakdown.
The information he gave back was to keep a low body position with feet approximately shoulder width apart or just a bit wider to give a
strong base of support. Making sure that the back is straight and that your head is in a neutral po sition, so that you don’t risk getting a Angle of body
serious neck injury. to be around

90 degrees.
Overall, meeting with Clive to discuss my product area was a great help for me and answered questio ns that I needed answering. Using
his expert knowledge of the breakdown, he was the best person for me to get a hold of.

Research Conclusions

From my interview, I have come away with some valuable knowledge as to how to design and develop my concepts. Clive clearly demonstrated a full As seen in this photo, I performed
understanding and enthusiasm towards my proposed product idea. the jackal position with my feet
 I learned what was the best body position to be in for the jackal, without risking injury - Low wi de base, feet shoulder width apart or just a bit wider, beyond shoulder width apart for
straight back and head in a neutral position. extra stability, head in a neutral
 Also, his enthusiasm motivated me further to progress designing a worthwhile jackal technique aid a s he is a high level coach and if he believes the position and back as straight as it
product is necessary then so do I. can be.
 In addition, with the information that Rachel Duncombe gave me about the specific muscle groups wor ked and which exercises help to improve them. I
can create a product that adapts Clive’s technique advice with Rachel’s exercises.

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