Rugby Camp Wrap

SCONE Junior Rugby Union players and coaches have had an invaluable start to

the 2016 season at the New England Mutual National Rugby Camp in Armidale this week.

More than 300 eager rugby players descended on the University of New England keen to receive high-level coaching, learn up-to-date techniques and meet fellow rugby players from all over Australia.

The Camp, supported by the NSW Waratahs and NSWRU development officers, ran from Sunday to Wednesday and catered for ages eight to 17, offering a two-day camp for younger children and four-day camp for older boys and girls.

Organisers also ran a girls camp for the first time for ages 13 to 17.

Scone junior Marcus Collins received a McDonalds Scholarship to attend the Camp and was joined by around 20 Scone juniors as well as local coaches keen to learn the intricacies of the new training drills for the 2016 season.

Hunter Ryan and Edward Bell received Camper Awards for their age group.

Paul Schmude, camp director, said there were 301 participants and organisers have received nothing but praise for the Camp.

“Everyone was just thrilled,” said Mr Schmude.

“We had players from Darwin, Tasmania, Bangkok, Sydney and Central North region. We also had two guys from New Zealand who both received Stage Camper of the Year,” he said.

“We ran the girls camp for the first time, and had two Australian Women’s Sevens players including Captain Sharni Williams and Chloe Dalton,” he said.

“They were just phenomenal, throwing themselves into everything,” Paul Schmude said.

The NSW Waratahs are major supporters of the Camp and Waratah’s Paddy Ryan, originally from Tamworth, Tommy Robinson and Henry Clunies-Ross attended to help run drills, pose for photos and sign autographs.

“Paddy actually came to the Camp as a participant in the early 2000’s,” Schmude said.

“He is the first camper who has gone to state and international level,” he said.

The National Rugby Camp has been running for 30 years and was started by former Australian Wallaby John Hipwell.

The aim is to provide regional juniors with intensive quality coaching to develop their skills in rugby union.

It is open to beginners as well as elite level players, and covers all aspects of the game.

“It’s a camp for everybody,” Schmude said.

The Camp has grown significantly over the years and is now the largest residential-based Rugby Camp in Australia.

Tor Killman, president of Scone Junior Rugby Union said the camp was a fantastic opportunity for the juniors.

“All the kids were keen and put everything into the drills and activities,” he said.

“The Camp focused on all aspects of rugby and ended with a few games to let the players put into action what they had been learning.

They are well and truly ready for the coming season.”

 

Registrations for Scone Junior Rugby Union are now open at: Rugby Link.

For information about SJRU, contact President Tor Killman on 0437 974 735 or visit Scone Junior Rugby Union Club on Facebook.