About JSA
Dave Saunders - Founder
Rugby Coach | Strength & Conditioning Coach | Personal Trainer
I've spent 20+ years helping players and clients get better at what they do. Today I coach at county, club and academy level across Surrey, and I work 1-2-1 and in groups with young athletes and adults who want to train with purpose.
Whether you're a young player chasing a pathway place, a parent looking for the right coach, a club wanting fresh ideas, or someone who wants to be fitter and stronger, this page tells you who I am, what I've done and how I can help.
About me
Rugby has been part of my life since I was a kid. I came through the Surrey county pathway and went on to represent Harlequins at U21 level, so I know what the pathway asks of young players because I've been through it myself.
Away from the pitch, I spent twelve years as Managing Director of a multi-site gym business. That taught me how to build programmes that work for real people, how to lead teams of coaches, and how to run things properly. It also means I understand training from both sides: the performance end and the everyday end.
These days I split my time between coaching rugby at club, county and professional club community level, and running Dave Saunders Coaching, where I work with athletes and clients on strength, conditioning and performance. I'm based in Banstead, Surrey.
Qualifications
I hold the RFU's England Coaching Award and I'm now in the second year of the England Advanced Coaching Award, the RFU's Level 3 programme for coaches working in the performance pathway. On the training side, I'm a Poliquin Level 2 Strength Coach and a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and Corrective Exercise Specialist.
I also work with a formal coaching mentor as part of my ongoing development, because a good coach never stops learning.
Qualification | Awarding body | Status |
|---|---|---|
England Advanced Coaching Award (Level 3) | RFU | Year 1 complete, Year 2 in progress |
England Coaching Award | RFU | Held |
Poliquin Level 2 Strength Coach | Poliquin | Held |
Corrective Exercise Specialist (Level 4) | NASM | Held |
Certified Personal Trainer (Level 3) | NASM | Held |
Emergency First Aid in Rugby Union (EFAiR) | RFU | Current |
Safeguarding | RFU | Current |
Activate injury prevention and concussion awareness | RFU | Current |
Enhanced DBS | DBS | Current |
Coaching Experience
I currently coach across the club, county, school and professional club community game, working with players from U12 through to U22.
Qualification | Awarding body |
|---|---|
England Advanced Coaching Award (Level 3) | RFU |
England Coaching Award | RFU |
Poliquin Level 2 Strength Coach | Poliquin |
Corrective Exercise Specialist (Level 4) | NASM |
Certified Personal Trainer (Level 3) | NASM |
Emergency First Aid in Rugby Union (EFAiR) | RFU |
Safeguarding | RFU |
Activate injury prevention and concussion awareness | RFU |
Enhanced DBS | DBS |
Results I'm proud of:
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Took a Sutton & Epsom U12 squad that other teams saw as an easy win and turned them into a side other teams are hesitant to play.
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Coached Surrey U17s to a 31-22 win over Sussex with very little preparation time.
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Built player development systems at club level, including Individual Development Plans reviewed every two months and squad-wide player profiles.
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Over 20 years of coaching and personal training, and twelve years running a multi-site gym business.
Playing background
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Educated at St John's Independent School, Leatherhead, Surrey
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Developed through the Surrey county pathway
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Represented Harlequins U21s
Having played the pathway myself, I understand the pressure young players feel at selection and trial time. I use that to help them prepare properly and enjoy the process.
How I coach
I want players to think for themselves. My job is to stretch them, let them make mistakes without judgement, and give them the chance to fix things before I step in. Players who learn to self-correct keep improving long after a session ends.
Fundamental things that guide everything I do:
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Knowledge is power. Every player should understand what everyone around them is doing, not just their own job.
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Options win games. In attack, a ball carrier should always have at least two options and the skills to take whichever one is in front of them.
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Development is planned, not hoped for. I use Individual Development Plans, reviewed every two months, so each player knows what they're working on and can see their progress.
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Keep it simple. I use video analysis, but in a way that fits around busy lives and short contact time.
The same approach carries into my S&C and personal training work: clear goals, honest feedback and a plan that actually fits your life.
How I can help
Young rugby players and parents
One-to-one and small group rugby coaching through the Junior Sports Academy, built around skills, decision-making and preparing for the step up to county and academy rugby.
Strength and conditioning programmes for rugby players and other sports, including padel. Built around your sport, your season and your body, so you get stronger, faster and more robust without breaking down.
1-2-1 personal training with a coach who has spent two decades doing it. No gimmicks, just a plan that works and someone to keep you on track.
Coaching sessions, coach development and support with player development systems. I've built IDP frameworks, principles of play and conditioning programmes for clubs, and I'm happy to share what's worked.
Let's have a chat
If any of this sounds like what you're looking for, get in touch. There's no hard sell. We'll talk about where you are, where you want to get to, and whether I'm the right person to help you get there.
Get in touch through the contact form on my website and I'll get back to you.