Rugby coaching at its best
Former rugby players and coaches will share their advice and expertise with aspiring rugby players at the Investec International Rugby Academy training courses.
OVER 21 of rugby’s “greats” will descend on Pietermaritzburg this weekend as part of the Investec International Rugby Academy training courses to be held at St Charle's College from 27 June to 3 July.
The academy, based on the highly successful training model of the New Zealand Rugby Academy, is offering courses for coaches and players, between the ages of eight and 18 years, at different levels and gives enrol eesthe opportunity to work closely with icons of rugby.
The Investec International Rugby Academy, which was started in 2009 by former Sharks coach and Springbok backline coach, Dick Muir, plays an important role in the professional careers of many of SA’s rugby players and coaches and offers more than just physical skills training and development – they give enrolees an in-depth opportunity to look into the lives of top level players, providing them with an understanding of what it takes to make it at the top level.
The week-long courses offer a rare opportunity for players and coaches to learn from local and international rugby icons.
Butch James shares the sentiment that other coaches at the Investec International Academy have about using their experience and knowledge to give back to the youth.
“Seeing the boys implement what you have coached them and the smile on their faces, when what you teach them improves their game, is so rewarding. If I had had an opportunities like the Investec International Rugby Academy before I started my career, it would have helped so much. The best thing about the academy are the coaches,” he said.
Coaches for the June courses include former Rugby World Cup players’ John Allan (1991) and Werner Swanepoel (1999), as well as former Springbok’s 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 and All-Blacks, Chiefs and Blues technical advisor Nico le Roux.
Boys can look forward to learning from former Springboks Dick Muir, Gcobani Bobo, Ian MacDonald and most capped South African Rugby Player Jacques Botes as well as local coaches Ryan Strudwick and Greg Miller. In addition to the professional coaches involved in the academy, international referee, Mark Lawrence, will be teaching the theories behind the game of rugby and its laws.
Rugby stalwarts Peter de Villiers (2007 and 2011 Rugby World Cup coach) and Ian McIntosh (Springbok coach, selector and director of Natal Rugby in the 90s) are also part of the line-up. Behind the scenes training is also a feature of the academy and specialists such as Mark Steele (former Springbok conditioning coach) and Tim Goodenough (meta-coach) will be teaching the physical and mental aspects of rugby.
For further information on the course, contact Bernadine on 031 940 5565 or visit www.investecacademy.com
