Rugby’s finest pass on skills to local players
Young local players honed their skills with the help of rugby greats.
THE Investec International Rugby Academy provided SA’s young rugby players and coaches with another opportunity to learn from international and SA rugby icons this December holiday.
Following the academy’s successful July holiday courses, the academy returned to St Charles College in December to offer high performance rugby training to all levels of the country’s rugby fraternity by former professional rugby players and coaches.
Among the line-up of coaches were former Rugby World Cup players’ Marius Hurter (1995), Werner Swanepoel (1999), Louis Koen (2003) and Butch James (2007 and 2011), former Springbok assistant coach Dick Muir, former British Lions coach Andy Keast, ex-Wallabies kicking coach Braam van Straaten, ex-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.
Boys enjoyed learning from former Springboks Gcobani Bobo, Ian MacDonald, Brent Russell and 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.
According to former Springbok, Brent Russell, the Investec International Rugby Academy is a great concept for former players.
“The academy allows retired players an opportunity to give back to the game of rugby. Rugby is in our blood and to be able to share with youngsters, and make a difference gives us great satisfaction,” says Russell.
The academy’s week long courses offer a rare opportunity, for players and coaches, to learn from local and international rugby icons. Players’ courses on offer in December are the Prestige Player Course (aged eight to 11 years), the Intermediate Player Course (aged 12 to 15 years) and the Advanced Player Course (aged 16 to 18 years). Running concurrently with the Advanced Player course are the Prestige Coaches course and the Advanced Coaches course (all levels of coaches).
Players and coaches are invited to partake in the Investec International Rugby Academy’s next highly sought after player and coach courses which will commence from 6 to 12 January 2016. Visit www.investecacademy.com or contact Bernadine on 031 940 5565 or bernadine@investecacademy.com
