Q&A with Dick Muir about the Investec International Rugby Academy

Jun 13 • General News, School, South Africa, Varsity & Club • 2970 Views • Comments Off on Q&A with Dick Muir about the Investec International Rugby Academy

It’s that time of year again for the mid-year edition of the Investec International Rugby Academy. What are the courses that are on offer in Durban during June?

Advanced Coaches Course (Coaching the coaches)

Elite Players Course (players older than 18)

Advanced Players Course (players 16-18)

Intermediate (skills development course boys 8-15)

Can interested players or coaches still enroll or have all places been filled for the respective courses?

We will be open for entries up until the 21st of June, different positions are still open on the various courses.

Typically, what do these courses entail – is it a combination of practical and theoretical work and how intense are these courses?

Yes, we cover all aspects of the game and utilize a number of coaches throughout the week to ensure that this creates an experience where both coaches and players mix in a 1 on 1 learning environment. the sessions cover both theory and the practical side of the game so that players and coaches don’t just understand the how to do this but also the “why” and what influence it has on the game.

There is an intermediate skills based course from 25 to 27 June, could you tell us more about this particular course?

The takes the form of a skills based course is to ensure that young aspiring player are taught the correct basic skills to form a foundation to enhance their careers. They are given the tools required to master the skills needed to play the game.

As course facilitator and MD of the SA Investec International Rugby Academy, is it accurate to say that these courses are growing in popularity and demand each year?

We are a sports crazy country, rugby in particular, and not enough is being done to coach the coaches. So yes absolutely, particularly in the competitive senior school environment and I would like to thank our coaches who give of their valuable time to share their knowledge and passion for the game.

Could you briefly tell our listeners about some of the Investec International Rugby Academy’s success stories?

We are proud to say that we are represented very well in South Africa and at the Junior World Cup we have no less than 6 players ( 4 for SA and 1x Australia and 1x Scotland)

What sets the IIRA courses apart from other courses/material on offer?

We pride ourselves on the fact that nothing else offers the expertise and being a global franchise we are on the cutting edge with a game that’s evolving all the time.

The IIRA courses generally have some of the most popular and well recognized names in South African and world rugby – tell us about some of the big names expected at the Investec International Rugby Academy courses in Durban between 23 to 29 June?

Just to name a few, we have Nick Mallet, Sir John Kirwan, John Plumtree, Peter de Villiers, John Mitchell, Carlos Spencer, Andy Keast, Stefan Terblanche, Braam van Straaten, Ian Mac Donald, Ian McIntosh, Gcobani Bobo, Jacques Botes, Louis Ludick, Robert du Preez and many more.

What were your impressions of the South African teams’ performances in the first half of the Vodacom Super Rugby competition?

To much trying to run over people rather than beating the man through using our skills and attacking the spaces created. Our defense systems were however very good and effective.