It’s a case of 3 down and 2 to go for our 2017 Kilkenny Rugby Academy Advanced players as they work there way through the best residential rugby camp programme in Ireland this summer. Not that they’ve had the motivation or time to count down the days.  The reality is that this group of 28 … Continue reading “2017 Kilkenny Rugby Academy – Midweek Review”

21 players from 6 counties traveled to Kilkenny College for the inaugural Minis Rugby Academy Kilkenny, a 4 day/3 night residential camp that represented a first chance for most of players to experience a top end high performance rugby development environment away from home. And what an experience these young players had!  The programme centred … Continue reading “2017 Minis Rugby Academy Kilkenny Review”

Tignes Rugby Academy Week 3 Day 3 saw finer weather finally breakthrough in Tignes, giving the players a better feel for the spectacular altitude training location it is. After an initial briefing session to introduce the players to the drills and assessment focus for the upcoming session, it was over to Stade Eric Cantona.  Once again … Continue reading “Tignes Rugby Academy Diary – Week 3, Day 3”

Tignes Rugby Academy Week 3 Day 1 saw the new group of players and their coaching team forced to make the best of some unseasonal wet weather in Tignes. Tignes Rugby Academy Week 3 Day 1 started off with a light breakfast in the UCPA dining area, with the players sporting their navy Impact Gumshields branded training … Continue reading “Tignes Rugby Academy Diary – Week 3, Day 1”

Tignes Rugby Academy Week 3 saw a new batch of excited players arrive in Tignes, ready for a full on high performance rugby experience. The group, comprising of an extended group of advanced players, also saw nine nationalities represented, some rugby powers (England, Ireland, France, South Africa, Italy) and some not (Germany, The Netherlands, Hong Kong, … Continue reading “Tignes Rugby Academy Diary – Week 3, Arrival Day”

Tignes Rugby Academy Week 2, Days 5 & 6 covered the last big programme phase, with Defence and Tournament Tag play the key focuses. Friday began back on the Cantona Pitch in Tignes Le Claret in the morning.  The session involved a position specific skills clinic incorporating key forward (line out throwing and jumping) and backs (kicking) … Continue reading “Tignes Rugby Academy Diary – Week 2, Days 5 & 6”

Tignes Rugby Academy Week 2, Days 3 & 4 hit the midway point across Wednesday and Thursday, with the playing group fully settled and acclimatized to the Tignes experience.  This all made for happier and more engaged players, getting the most out of the high performance programme. Wednesday morning focussed on a pitch session to assess … Continue reading “Tignes Rugby Academy Diary – Week 2, Day 3 + 4”

For Tignes Rugby Academy, Week 2, Day 2 the focus switched to development of playing skills on the pitch and physical conditioning in the gym. With tired bodies and minds from Day 1, this day is the big test for all young players – the group and coaches have to really dig in mentally to get … Continue reading “Tignes Rugby Academy Diary – Week 2, Day 2”

Tignes Rugby Academy, Week 2 saw a group of 41 French & Irish players arrive at UCPA Tignes. After the anticipation, it’s their turn to join the PSA Academies team for their stint of 7 day high performance rugby. With all the excitement of arrival day banked (check in, meet & greet, games, dinner & … Continue reading “Tignes Rugby Academy Diary – Week 2, Day 1”

Tignes Rugby Academy Day 5 was D Day on the programme and that means D-E-F-E-N-C-E! After the relaxed Thursday activities, the players had to quickly pick up the intensity for the a big day of action. Extra sleep (the group got an extra stretch to 8am) and a big, healthy breakfast is a key cornerstone for … Continue reading “Tignes Rugby Academy Diary – Week 1, Day 5”