What a week for the Barney Rugby Academy this summer! Our players enjoyed an action-packed programme that went far beyond rugby skills.
Throughout the week, they benefited from expert coaching and support from Mr Pickering, Mr Pepper, Miss Alderdice, and our new Head of Rugby, Joe Cain. They also had the brilliant opportunity to learn from former international players Lee Dickson and Sean Lamont, who shared their knowledge and experiences from the highest level of the game.
But the academy focused on much more than what happened on the pitch. With the guidance of Mr Chaloner, players worked on fitness, strength and conditioning, recovery, and the mindset needed to perform at their very best. Every session challenged them to set new goals and push themselves a little further.
A real highlight came during a visit to Newcastle University. The group explored the outstanding sporting facilities and gained a valuable insight into what performance sport can look like at university level. It gave everyone plenty to think about as they considered their own sporting journeys.
Perhaps the biggest success of all was the atmosphere throughout the week. Players encouraged one another through every challenge, embraced the bespoke coaching and left with clear goals to continue their development long after the academy had finished.
The first Barney Rugby Academy proved to be a resounding success. We can’t wait to see it grow, and we’re already looking forward to next year’s programme.
