The Irish Rugby Academies for summer 2019 got off to the best possible start this week with PSA Rugby Academy Roscrea, featuring a fantastic 5 and 3 day programme, successfully completing at the famous Cistercian College rugby venue.
Over 90 players from 44 Irish clubs and five different countries overall enjoyed the mostly fine whether to experience an action-packed high performance rugby that included skills assessment and development sessions with coaches Alan Tynan and Ben Swindlehurst, extensive Gym testing and technique development with coaches Tom Byrne & Cathal Duff, guest coaching from World Cup winning BJ Botha and two fascinating guest talks from Jonny Holland (Sports Nutrition) and Cathal Sheridan (Mental Wellness).
The players were also put through their paces army-style with C.A.R.D.S. sessions delivered by Exercito’s Jonathan Holland and Shane Stafford, as well as having fun with the Xplore activities that included Archery, Air Rifle Shooting, Bushcraft and Games.
With top quality food provided by the Cistercian College catering staff plus the Healthy Academy shop that saw our partners VITHIT drinks, Irish Biltong & Kinetica Protein Bars and Milkshakes to the fore, the players across the Minis, Intermediate and Advanced age groups had every thing they needed to fuel them for high intensity action. They also had the shepherding hand of our superstar house parent/programme all rounder Francis Ryan and the overall guidance of Camp Manager Rachael Byrne to bring their through to the end of their stay.
At the end of a memorable week, Graham Ross and Johan Taylor from PSA Academies addressed the parents and players to thank them and all involved in the delivery of Academy. The last step was to announce the End of Academy Award winners (see below list of winners by category) and to present a deserving group of committed players with their 2019 PSA Rugby Academy Roscrea player certificates.
Finally, we were delighted to sell nearly €200 worth of Noggin Hats at the End of Academy Shop, with 100% of the proceeds going to Mental Health charities associated with the not-for-profit company. We look forward to building on this when the PSA Rugby Academy Limerick starts in Villers School later today.
PSA Rugby End of Academy Awards, Roscrea (sponsored by STC Teamwear)
Minis (U11-U12)
Silky Skills – Billy Cooper
Most Improved Rucker – Sean Stone
Most Improved Defence – Rossa Williams
Most Engaged Gym Performer – Sam Duffy
C.A.R.D.S. Leadership by Example – Donnacha Carroll
Intermediate & Advanced Group (U13-U17)
Silky Skills – Hugh Heagney
Most Improved Rucker – Sofien
Most Improved Defence – Jack O’Connor
Most Engaged Gym Performer – Luke Graham
C.A.R.D.S. Leadership by Example – Filippo Nora
Watch the PSA Rugby Academy Roscrea Highlights Video on our YouTube Channel here
