Why: Soaks has a well worn path to ensuring a pathway through all age grades from juniors to seniors and representative Rugby. The transition age grade through Colts has been developed over many years and remains a key plank of the club’s pathway from Juniors to Seniors.

The club takes great pride in the transition of our “home grown” juniors into senior ranks with all coaches spending time ensuring youth talent is identified and supported through the junior from youth to senior.

To assist in this a formal support program of Academy activations has been evolved to be a formal part of the club’s structure in 2021 and beyond in support of Junior/Senior players who are seeking to improve their core skills in the game. There is no cost to registered club players and is open to all age/grade players from 14 years upwards.

What: The academy will run in conjunction with both pre and in season training and will align with the Nationally endorsed Pathway Skills Curriculum. These core skills will underpin the Academy content and activities. This ensures Associates as a club is supporting the State and National Pathway (State Teams) programs.     

Content/Activities: The sessions will focus on specialist sessions around key aspects of the game. These include but are not limited to the following:

• Core skill clinics; passing, kicking
• Goal Kicking.
• Specialist positions;  Front Row.
• Lineout throwing.
• Position specific conditioning.  Forwards, backs.
• Ruck & Breakdown Skills.

Who: In addition these clinics will be supported by club champion exponents (players) and coaching staff including visiting experts.    The Academy is open to all ages/grade players.  Anyone who is looking to improve their core skills over and above what will be developed during regular season training.

When: Academy program sessions will be conducted on Thursday evenings in the time bracket 1745 – 1820. This is intended to fit in between both Junior and Senior age grade training times. Timings may be adjusted with additional sessions on alternate days conducted pending numbers joining the academy sessions.

Information:  Any queries or to lodge and expression of interest please contact the Director of Rugby Development.

Bob Hunter
Email:            bobhunter@opleadership.com.au
Moblie:          0413 045 355