PSA Academies and it’s partners delivered a very successful high performance rugby clinic at Finborough School from 9am to 1.30pm last Saturday 10 March.
The PSA Academies coaching team, led by head coaches Johan Taylor (Head of Rugby Programme & former Sri Lanka National Team Head Coach) and Dan Van Zyl (Former Springbok & Super Rugby player and coach of Leinster and Ireland Rugby Underage sides), delivered an innovative and impactful programme of intensive skills based drills through the morning, making the best use of the impressive Finborough School facilities to workaround the inclement weather conditions.
In all, over 50 players representing more than 10 clubs and schools throughout the Eastern Counties and East Anglia rugby heartlands made the event and got first hand experience of the exceptional programme content that can be expected on all the 2018 PSA Academies Rugby Academies, including the inaugural Finborough Rugby Academy, running from the 5-10 August.
After registration and an initial introduction by the event organiser PSA Academies Operations Manager Cory Brown, the early morning session saw the group split into age/ability brackets, with the focus on core passing skills and the 4 steps of evasion. After a break, the groups ran through the theory and prep work to support the pitch based activity around 4 areas (Defence, Attack, Technique and Decision Making).
After lunch, the groups moved to the pitch for the final practical sessions that included;
- Shadowman Tackle Clinic with Johan Taylor
- Attack and Continuity Games with Dan Van Zyl
- Ruck Technique & Assessment with Cory Brown
- Speed & Agility Technique & Assessment with Cody Schou
The day concluded with a debrief and final overview of the day’s programme in the Sky Cafe in the impressive Finborough School Gym.
Speaking after the event, head coach Johan Taylor commented “The event was a great success and showed the quality of underage player in the Eastern Counties region. We hope the group collectively and individually get plenty out of the half day programme and we look forward to seeing many of them back in Finborough for the full Rugby Academy in August”.
For his part, guest head coach Dan Van Zyl was impressed with the talent on show and venue “The group were a pleasure to work with, with really good attitude and skills on show. It was particularly great to see so many Eastern Counties girls on the day. Many thanks to Finborough School for an excellent venue, with the new gym building being a fantastic facility to use for a group and event like this”.
As part of the follow up to the event, we’ve received very positive feedback via our event survey (with Net Promoter Score of 88), with testimonials including;
My daughter loved every minute of the programme, excellent coaching and great to see the girls working so hard and developing their game.
My son was so impressed with the camp he informed me it was the best rugby training he had ever had. Very useful tips provided for tackling, rucking etc. The coaches were clearly very experienced and professional. The coaches provided individual advice to each child which was very helpful. My son was buzzing afterwards and thoroughly enjoyed the camp. He is very keen to attend a future camp!
Excellent half day for my 10 year old son. He thoroughly enjoyed it, so much so I have booked him for the Finborough Rugby Academy 3 Day Mini Camp. I would highly recommend.
For anyone interested in booking the Finborough Rugby Academy in August, please contact us on sales@psaacademies.com or telephone 01449 742707.
