Keith Marshall’s Post

Whatever your role in life or work, a smile or a hug are brilliant things. But why don't we do them more? 🤔 I used to work in a corporate environment in banks. Nobody hugged anyone and most people dashed out the door at the end of their shift. People rarely smiled. Now, I work with small business owners, and I see and experience a lot more hugs and friendly smiles. But it is still a challenge for many people to connect at a human level - even just a smile. Is it that people are just fed up with jobs more today than ever before? E.g. there is a lot of dissatisfaction and frustration around. Is it that people think it's better to remain tough, hard and focused to show they are serious about getting the job done? E.g. they don't ever smile. Or, is it something else. 👀 The clip below is a brilliant example of connecting at a human level and asking permission to do so. What do you think? 🤔 #business #businessintelligence #leadership #motivation

I believe Execution lies in Simplicity and Clarity. This is my central message when I coach teams and professionals. World Rugby has for long been on the receiving end of rugby fans worldwide for continuous law changes that are complex and don't seem to follow a constant vision for what the game should be about. Fans can't keep up and often don't understand what the hell is going on (read my frustration as well - even though I have coached with a WR Level II accreditation!) and referees are almost always lambasted for their 'interpretation' of an incredibly difficult set of rules. My view is that law complexity and constant meddling is (by far) what's hindering growth of the game and I believe it's because they don't have a clear vision for what the game should be about anymore. This week, Brett Robertson was elected as the new Chair of World Rugby. His campaign focussed on the following: "Progressive evolution of global growth strategy, deepened collaboration across the game and continued prioritisation of player welfare." While this sounds great (especially Player Welfare), I want to know what the clear strategy for improvement within THE GAME ITSELF is and not just what sounds fancy in a headline. Back when I started my Level 2 coaching, my handbook kicked off with the outcomes of the game (according to the IRB), which included the following (paraphrased): 'To create an equal contest for the ball at all times'. I certainly don't believe this is the case anymore. And I also think fans are being less and less engaged with their understanding of the game. The more the referee panel meets, the more the above seems to be the case. I'd love to see World Rugby choose a clear vision for the playing of the game and then build their strategy around this. I certainly think that a '50/50 contest for the ball and less whistle' would be a great principle to drive the Vision of a more globally attractive. The game could do with 50% less laws, especially those that govern the contest around the contact point. I could name a few, but don't want to lose focus of what I'd like to say here!... ...which is that the game needs in-game strategic change that is clear for everyone and very very simple. Forget new global competitions, franchise leagues and funky Sevens gimmicks. Improve the experience for the player, fan and referee! Let's wait and see! #worldrugby #rugby #vision #keepitsimple

3rd Round of the Womens 6 Nations now complete & we've added the results, updated the tables and named the scorers in each match (linking back to their Player Profiles). Most rounds there's a 'new' player who scores and has no Profile on our site, so we add them a new one. France had two such players this weekend (Nassira Konde & Annaelle Deshayes). Our website currently holds all 6N results & tables back to & including 2013, - and all scorers recorded back to & including 2015. We are constantly working on this and will eventually have everything back to the inaugural Home (4) Nations in 1995/6 - including, I hope - scorers, too. Here's how 2024 is going so far: https://lnkd.in/efMZ-NFw

Learn more about what #scouting truly is! Look beyond the media spin and explore the timeless ideals and the ongoing mission: to prepare young people to make ethical and moral decisions over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law. This is an awesome video!

Great article in Ad Age on the rising popularity of Rugby in the US. Rugby is no longer just a niche—it’s a movement gaining momentum in the US, with the LA Olympics 2028 and Rugby World Cups 2031 and 2033 on the horizon. But here’s the question: are brands ready to seize this once-in-a-generation opportunity? This isn’t just about sponsorship; it’s about stepping into a sport rooted in passion, teamwork, and diversity. It’s about telling stories that resonate with a growing audience and creating real, lasting impact. For brands looking to expand their reach into global markets, rugby offers a unique opportunity to stand out, drive awareness, and build authentic connections with a passionate and growing fanbase. The stage is set—who will seize the moment? 🏆 Ready to create the next big story in sports? Get in touch. Link to the article in the comments ---> #Rugby #SportsMarketing #BrandStorytelling #Innovation #Partnerships

As we go into the second weekend of a thrilling Six Nations, here’s a really timely story about the unintended benefits of lowering the tackle height (from shoulder height to sternum) in schools and across much of amateur Rugby Union. This was a controversial change. A year ago traditionalists were up in arms. Many feared it would ruin the sport as they knew it. In reality it has proved to do the opposite. While it’s too early to conclusively say that it has lowered the incidence of concussion, the anecdotal evidence is that there has been a significant improvement. And it has had another unintended consequence - because the rule leads to fewer two-on-one tackles, the ball-carrier can often offload the ball to a team mate. So as well as improving safety, rugby is getting faster and more enjoyable to watch, with fewer set-piece interruptions. Those of us in positions of influence in the game should take heart from this example. * Increasing player safety doesn’t have to come at the expense of the sporting spectacle. * Innovation is critical to the future of the sport. See you at Murrayfield. Come on Scotland! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 https://lnkd.in/eeBsRhR2

A different angle on the Fiji game, it’s a good read, #irishrugby #rugby #autumnnations2024 #rugbyunion: https://lnkd.in/e-venv3p

⚽ Euro 2021 & 2024 ⚽ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 England Football and Racism 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 As we approach the semi-finals with England facing the Netherlands, it is impossible to overlook the significance of this moment, particularly following the remarkable performance in the penalty shootout by five players of Black heritage. Among them, Bukayo Saka stands out, alongside his teammates Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford, who were all subjected to racial abuse after the Euros in 2021. Football, for many of us, is a universal sport that speaks to us all in one language – the language of football fans. Yet, it is disheartening to see how players from diverse ethnic backgrounds can be hailed as heroes when they score but are subjected to vile racial abuse when they lose. The aftermath of the Euros in 2021 remains a stark reminder of the racism that still exists in sports. I remember watching the abuse unfold and questioning how far we have progressed in tackling racism within football. Many people from diverse ethnic communities, including myself, were bracing themselves during the penalty shootouts, anticipating the onslaught of racial slurs if the players missed. However, whether by tactical design or not, Gareth Southgate chose five England players of Black descent to take those crucial penalties. This decision by Southgate underscores the deep-seated disparities and the selective nature of support for players, which often aligns with prevailing narratives. As a mother to a die-hard football fan, I am acutely aware of the impact these moments have on young minds. My child, with his unwavering love for the game, expressed his concern during the match, fearing the racial abuse that might follow if the players missed their penalties. This is not the environment we should be fostering – an environment where fans from diverse ethnic backgrounds sit on the edge of their seats, not just because of the game's outcome, but because of the potential for racial vilification. We all have a responsibility to educate and act against racism within our homes, workplaces, and communities. We must strive to be anti-racist rather than mere bystanders. Our collective goal should be to address and challenge the racist attitudes that persist within the sport and beyond. https://lnkd.in/eV2nZhPG #football #England #euro2024 #fear #Englandfootball #racism #racist #blackplayers #diversethnic #GarethSouthgate #bukayosaka #marcusrashford #jadonsancho #colepalmer #trentalexanderarnold #judebellingham #ivantoney #fans #stampoutracism #racialslurs #footballfans #footballracism #celebratediversity #englandteam #change #penaltyshootout

**Eastern Cape: A Breeding Ground for Rugby World Champions** The Eastern Cape Province continues to be a powerhouse in producing world-class rugby talent, thanks to the competitive spirit thriving in its schools. These institutions, where a healthy yet fierce rivalry exists, are shaping the future of South African rugby. In just a decade, many of these young athletes will be wearing the national colors, representing South Africa on the global stage. Eastern Cape schools uphold Nelson Mandela's belief that sports and the arts are vital pathways to fostering unity and brotherhood across communities. This commitment to excellence and character development sets the stage for some of these players to rise to prominence. A few will even catch the eye of global giants like Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, following in the footsteps of rugby stars such as Siya Kolisi, Cheslin Kolbe, Aphelele Fassi, and Sbu Nkosi. Through Roc Nation, Jay-Z is extending the essence of the American dream to Africa, empowering athletes to make a global impact.

Yesterday, I had the pleasure in my capacity as DoR at Farnham Rugby Club spend some time with the Director of Rugby from Guildford Rugby Club - Aidan Turns. A great meeting (as all the previous meetings from my local clubs have been) and enlightening on so many fronts!! A couple of headlines... 1. The Reality of Building a Rugby Legacy - Guildford Rugby Club has evolved from humble beginnings in 1922 to a thriving hub for rugby excellence. This growth is a testament to the dedication of players, coaches, volunteers and its community. 2. We discussed the Do’s and Don’ts of Rugby Club development... Don’ts: ❌ Don’t overlook the importance of youth development. ❌ Don’t neglect facility upgrades. ❌ Don’t be afraid to be a leader - deal with all manner of day to day ‘rugby stuff’ that lacks integrity or not within our sports values. Do’s: ✅ Invest in youth rugby (girls & boys) - it's important!!. ✅ Continuously upgrade facilities and look after your finances robustly. ✅ Foster a sense of community - always!! Guildford Rugby Club’s success stems from these core principles and in no small measure I am sure, down to Aidan and his team. Good luck over the forthcoming season (not to much luck - obviously🙏😂😂)!! #RugbySuccess #GuildfordRugby #ClubDevelopment #RugbyLegacy #GuildfordRugby #Commitment