
Worth Repeating: Gareth Rees on What to Look for in a Coach
From Better Sports Parents by Scott Rintoul
April 24, 2026 · 13 min · Season 1
About this episode
Gareth Rees discusses the qualities parents should look for in a youth coach and shares insights from his coaching experience.
As a rugby player, Gareth Rees was arguably the most prominent Canadian to represent his country on the world stage and was inducted in to the International Rugby Hall of Fame and Canada's Sport Hall of Fame for his efforts. A father of two boys, Gareth has coached professionally and at the amateur sport level, which gives him a unique perspective on what parents should be looking for in a quality coach for their children. In this segment, Gareth highlights important qualities to look for in a youth coach, reveals red flags to be wary of, and shares an example of how creating a great relationship with a player allows a coach to deliver tough feedback when needed. Listen to the full episode: Spotify Apple Watch on YouTube
People in this episode
Host: Scott Rintoul
Guest: Gareth Rees
Topics covered
- coaching
- youth sports
- parenting
- rugby
- qualities of a coach
- red flags in coaching
Keywords
- youth coach
- coaching qualities
- rugby
- parenting
- red flags
- feedback
- relationship with players
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: International Rugby Hall of Fame, Canada's Sport Hall of Fame
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