Mid-Year Investec International Rugby Academy Course Hailed a Resounding Success

Jun 28 • General News, School, South Africa, Varsity & Club • 3655 Views • Comments Off on Mid-Year Investec International Rugby Academy Course Hailed a Resounding Success

For years the Investec International Rugby Academy has played an integral part in charting the path to top level success and achievement for its coaches and players. 2013 has been no different with the selection of several of the academy alumni for national teams at the recently concluded IRB Junior World Championships in France.

Dick Muir, Investec International Academy Managing Director and Course Facilitator, declared that the June leg held at Glenwood High School was attended by some of the most popular and recognisable names in world rugby resulting in it being a resounding success. The course kicked off on 23 June with the Elite and Advanced Players courses, followed by the Advanced Coaches course and Intermediate skills-based course.

Muir says the Academy is constantly evolving in order to meet the demand for high-performance tuition that combines theory and practical training.

“These courses are tailored to give players and coaches all the information, practical training and tools they need to elevate their careers to the next level. During the course of a week, coaches and players receive one-on-one training, which includes theoretical work that covers every facet of the game. Our goal is to ensure that we remain at the very top of our game in terms of providing the latest, most innovative ways of achieving success both on and off the field of play, which essentially leads to an increase in the talent pool of coaches and players.”

Classes were limited to 30 players and 25 coaches per course and covered a host of topics ranging from position-specific training, video analysis and laws of the game to mental training, communication, relationships and motivation.

Sharks Fullback Louis Ludik was impressed with his experience,

“It’s courses such as this that will continue to ensure that South Africa is seen as a powerful rugby nation. The youngsters here show great talent and a hunger to learn, which is so refreshing and rewarding. I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience here.”

Muir says all attendees leaving the June edition of the Investec International Rugby Academy do so having had specialised training by coaching personnel of the highest calibre.

“Working with and learning from a group of insightful, experienced and knowledgeable coaches of international acclaim definitely rates as a great source of motivation and one of the best ways to improve and develop your game.”

Recognisable faces in the long list of accomplished current and former coaches and players included Nick Mallett, John Plumtree, Sir John Kirwan, John Mitchell, Johan Ackermann, Albert van den Berg, Charl Marais, Grant Bashford, Ian McIntosh, Braam van Straaten, Gcobani Bobo, Jacques Botes, Rob du Preez, Louis Ludik and Stefan Terblanche.

Sharks player Jacques Botes concludes,

“I believe that these courses leave the players and coaches with the best training and tools available to increase their rugby successes at domestic and international levels. The course mentors monitor their progress and development in the game which means that the course learnings extend long after this week. There’s no doubt that everyone involved in these courses feel an immense sense of satisfaction and pride when the attendees go on to make international headlines for club or country.”

The year-end Investec International Rugby Academy courses take place from 9 to 15 December in Durban.

-Investec is a Specialist Bank and Asset Manager that provides a diverse range of financial products and services to a niche client base in three principal markets: South Africa, the United Kingdom and Australia, as well as certain other countries. The Investec Group is dual listed on the London and Johannesburg Stock Exchanges. Our expertise and experience covers Asset Management, Wealth & Investment, Property Activities Private Banking, Capital Markets and Investment Banking.