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.
Brakpan resident Keegan Venter was one of the young players who attended the academy at St Charles College in Pietermaritzburg.
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,” he said.
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 (eight to 11 years), the Intermediate Player Course (12 to 15 years) and the Advanced Player Course (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).
The rewards the coaches gain from being involved in the academy are testament to the service the academy provides.
“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, Johan Ackermann.
“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.
“During that week you are able to see the difference in an individual’s confidence and abilities. It can only have a positive effect in one’s development,” added Russell.
While the academy has the function of helping players try to achieve a career in rugby, it also has a second function – helping players achieve their goals on any level.
“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 comradery about it and unites those with a passion for rugby,” said the academy’s general manager, Greg Miller.
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Veelsydige Zander is ‘n ster op die veld
