High performance rugby training back by popular demand

The Investec International Rugby Academy will be providing SA’s young rugby players and coaches with another opportunity to learn from international and SA rugby icons in the December holidays.

Following the academy’s successful July holiday courses, the academy will be returning 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.

Former Rugby World Cup players’ Marius Hurter (1995), Werner Swanepoel (1999), Louis Koen (2003) and Butch James (2007 and 2011) will be bringing their expertise to the academy along with 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, former Sharks assistant coach Brad Mcleod-Henderson, former Scottish player John Alan, and All-Blacks, Chiefs and Blues technical advisor Nico le Roux. Boys can look forward to 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) are also part of the line-up. Behind the scenes training is 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) will be teaching 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).

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,” says 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,” says 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,” says 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,” says the academy’s General Manager, Greg Miller.

Players and coaches are invited to partake in the Investec International Rugby Academy’s highly sought after player and coach courses which will commence from 10 to 16 December at St Charles College in Pietermaritzburg. Visit www.investecacademy.com  or contact Bernadine on 031 940 5565 or bernadine@investecacademy.com.