Thinking outside the box

Members of Exeter Chiefs’ squad recently completed the final session of a series working with former Royal Marines Mountain Leader Officer and founder of Wilderness Solutions, Paul Mattin.

Held in conjunction with the RPA’s Player Development Programme (PDP) and organised by RPA Player Development Manager for Exeter Chiefs, Josh Frape, the players undertook four sessions over three months, focusing on leadership, effective communication and performing under pressure.

Each session challenged the players to think outside of the box, as they embarked on a number of different tasks, testing their ability to make effective and well communicated decisions and develop as strong individual leaders.

Split into forwards and backs the players spent their time listening to the various experiences of Paul who drew on his own career to inspire the players to challenge themselves and improve their performances both on and off the pitch. Paul included a practical ‘hands-on’ aspect to every session – where key leader and team characteristics were emphasised and practised.

Dean Mumm, captain of Exeter Chiefs, said: “Paul has been a fantastic help to the team. In rugby there is so often talk about it being a breeding ground for leadership and team work but the fact is leadership and effective communication is never actually taught to us. It’s an expectation without the necessary education.”

Paul Mattin, founder of Wilderness Solutions, said: “The reaction to the sessions was incredibly positive. The players have a wealth of hard-earned experience with ‘what makes a team work’ and they all deliver results in a pressured environment. Assisting the players to really understand the transferable currency of their skills is key. Careers are busy – but these short sessions offer a solid investment; both for the ‘here and now’ – and for the important years beyond rugby.”

RPA Player Development Manager for Exeter Chiefs, Josh Frape, said: “The sessions have been really beneficial with great feedback from the players. It has enabled them to enhance skills that will not only help them now as a player but will also benefit them post-rugby. The high-performing teams the players operate in on a daily basis require them to use a variety of skills to perform at their full potential, these sessions have undoubtedly explored and helped develop these.”