ANOTHER New England Mutual National Rugby Camp was in full throttle at Armidale’s University of New England yesterday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The camp has enticed and exhilarated young players to and at the camp as well as establishing many rugby careers with a busy week of high-level coaching and development from nationally- accredited coaches.
At the core of the camp has always been a focus on the basics and important skills in rugby union.
For example, the drills include catching the ball, passing the ball, kicking the ball, footwork, tackling, rucking and mauling.
The children will receive coaching in all of these aspects and will play games to practise their skills.
It’s a simple but effective process.
Drills may change or be enhanced but the message is still the same –hard work and getting the basics right will deliver a better player at any age and level.
Paul Schmude is the camp director and has been for 16 years for a camp that has been running for more than 30 years.
He’s organised many Wallabies, ACT Brumbies, NSW Waratahs and even Queensland Reds to attend and improve and enhance the skills of the young players.
Yesterday he had Australian women’s Sevens stars Chloe Dalton and Sharni Williams to pass on their footballing skills while Tamworth’s own Wallaby, prop Paddy Ryan, arrived in the afternoon to bolster the camp.
“The Waratahs have been great supporters of this camp,” Schmude said.
“They also use this camp to pilot a few things.”
NSWRU development officers also help prepare the young campers for a fast-approaching new season, Schmude said.
“It’s (a camp) for all grades, really,” he said.
“It’s for starters, kids who have never played and for older kids who have played for a few years and it’s also for kids aspiring to be Wallabies.”
He said Ryan was a fine example.
“He attended this camp in the early 2000s,” he said.
Today is the final day of another successful year.