The 2019 Nashua Rugby Skills Programme (NRSP), partnered with Shadowball, took place at St Benedict’s College in Bedfordview in its third year on January 23.
NRSP is an inter-schools rugby skills competition with 140 schools in participation, the only one of its kind in SA.
“Using scientific data every step of the way, the NRSP team runs a high-tech leader board on their website for players and teams to keep track of progress and a R30 000 prize is awarded to the winning school,” said Jody Watson sales, training and marketing officer for Nashua North East.
Inventor and director of Shadowball, Gary Crooke said Shadowball is a much-needed skills training programme that solves the big problem of skill deficiency in SA rugby players.
“This great partnership highlights Nashua’s incredible commitment to SA rugby and we have seen enormous improvements in players over the past two years,” said Crooke.
NRSP included learners in Grade Five to Seven to learn foundation rugby skills and problem areas that will benefit them as future rugby players.
Other schools invited to NRSP for the day were Allen Glen High School and Boskop Primary School.
Former Springbok players Morgan Newman, Conrad Jantjes and Gcobane Bobo were in attendance and not only connected with each of the young players, but also taught them valuable rugby skills.
“Nashua North East is proud to work with the ShadowBall team and the rugby skills development programme they present.
“The future of rugby lies in the development of talent and laying the foundation for rugby players to play with higher levels of quality and skill.
“The foundation of success is teamwork and healthy competition,” said Watson.
