Queens High School rugby player, Ilano Smith, joined the best in the game at the Investec International Rugby Academy in Pietermaritzburg.
The event was held during the December holidays at St Charles College in Pietermaritzburg.
The director of the academy, Mr Greg Miller, said the up-and-coming rugby players and coaches had the chance to meet international and local rugby icons.
He said this was the second camp after the successful July holiday.
“The academy offered high performance rugby training to all levels of the country’s rugby fraternity by former professional rugby players and coaches,” said Mr Miller.
The line-up of coaches included former Rugby World Cup players Marius Hurter (1995), Werner Swanepoel (1999), Louis Koen (2003) and Butch James (2007 and 2011), former assistant coach Dick Muir, former British Lions Andy Keast, former Wallabies kicking coach, Braam van Straaten, former Springbok assistant coach and current Sharks coach, Gary Gold, former Sharks coach Grant Bashford, former Sharks assistant coach Brad Mcleod-Henderson, former Scottish player John Allan and All-Blacks, Chiefs and Blues technical advisor, Nico le Roux.
“The players also learnt from former Springboks Gcobani Bobo, Ian MacDonald, Brent Russell and from the most-capped South African rugby player, Jacques Botes, as well as local coaches Ryan Strudwick and Greg Miller. Rugby stalwarts Peter de Villiers, 2007 and 2011 Rugby World Cup coach, Nick Mallet, former Springbok coach and Murray Mexted, former All Blacks player and Director of the International Rugby Academy of New Zealand were also part of the line-up. Behind the scenes training was also a feature of the Investec International Rugby Academy and specialists such as Mark Steele, former Springbok conditioning coach, Dr. Peet du Toit, neurological and physiological testing, and Tim Goodenough, meta-coach, taught the physical and mental aspects of rugby,” said Mr Miller.
“My favourite part of coaching at the academy is the reward of seeing the boys implement what you have coached them, and the smile on their faces, when what you teach them improves their game,” said former Springbok, Butch James
“My favourite part of the academy is seeing the end product after a hard week, seeing the boys applying some of the lessons they have learnt during the course,” said current Lions coach and Currie Cup winning coach, Johan Ackermann.
Mr Miller said the academy is helping the players and coaches to improve their games.
“The core value of the academy is to up your game, whether its means getting into a better team or even just learning more about the game. The academy has a sense of camaraderie about it and unites those with a passion for rugby,” he said.
Those who want to be part of future academies may log onto www.investecacademy.com or send an email to Bernadine@investecacademy.com or call Bernadine on 031 940-5565.
