Paul Turner Session 2

Prior to starting to work with the senior squad in his consulting role, today (Sunday January 6) saw the second of 3 sessions that Paul Turner will run with the Academy. This session was with the U16 age group, and over 26 players had an almost 2 hr session with Paul which again focused on core passing skills and patterns of play. This involved both backs and forwards being able to operate together when the ball "is in country".

The feedback from the coaches was how Paul's enthusiasm (and coaching skills) shone through on a foggy day, and how his attention to the details of ball protection and presentation will build on the message they've been trying to get across to the players.

Our thanks to our sponsors for providing the funds to allow this to take place, to Paul and to the players who participated actively in the session. Please see the attached gallery from Benoit Vautravers which records the day (click the photo).

JP

Those of you who read Rugby World may have seen the article regarding this session in the latest issue ( the one with Alex Goode on the cover).

Today (Sunday December 9th) saw the first those 3 sessions that Paul Turner will run with the Academy. As Paul told us this isn't the first time he's been involved with the club, he'd previously run some kicking clinics when he was at Bedford.

This session was with the Colts and U17s, and over 25 players (plus Elliot Fraser from the Wanderers)  had an almost 2 hr session with Paul which focused on core passing skills and patterns of play. This involved both backs and forwards being able to operate together when the ball "is in country".Paul's enthusiasm shone through on a cold and windy day and he kept the boys moving throughout the session. The gallery gives a sampling of some of the drills the boys took part in.

As always thanks to our sponsors for allowing us to make this happen, thanks from the coaches to the squad members from both age groups who turned out, listened attentively and participated actively.

Photos

JP

The Academy team are pleased to announce that Paul Turner, ex Welsh International, will be providing 3 coaching sessions for the Cambridge Academy players over the coming months. These will focus on core skills and are applicable for all players, forwards and backs. The sessions will be December 9th (Colts and U17), January 6th (U16) and January 27th (U16, and then U17 and Colts).

Paul had a playing career that saw him, at outside half, play for Crumlin, Newbridge, Pontypool and Newport RFC, he gained 3 Welsh caps in 1988-89. He was renowned for his ability to find space under pressure and kick equally well with either foot.

His coaching pedigree is impressive, Paul is a qualified Level 4 Coach. He has been coaching at the top level since 1990 and is one of the most experienced coaches within the Aviva Premiership having coached at clubs such as Saracens, Gloucester, Harlequins and spending 5 years as Director of Rugby in his home region for the Gwent Dragons in Wales. He is currently the Attack and Skills Coach at Premiership side London Wasps.

When John Traynor and I were discussing the goals of the Academy, Paul was one of the external coaches we flagged as having the type of knowledge and expertise we would like to provide for the Academy players. I saw Paul provide a session at an Eastern Counties Coaching Conference at Kings Ely and was impressed with how he approached the players and communicated his passion for the game, in what was no more than a 45 minute session. We are very pleased to have found slots in Paul’s schedule for the above sessions and thank our sponsors for their support which has enabled us to provide these sessions and the earlier kicking clinics with Simon Hodgkinson.

Although the sessions are focused on providing input to the players they are open for other CRUFC M&Y coaches to come and watch and learn as part of their coach development.

John Pritchard
Cambridge Rugby Academy
Club Coaching Coordinator

Scrum Half Kicking Clinic

Tuesday (September 11th) saw the third Kicking clinic for Academy and Senior squad players, again run by Simon Hodgkinson. This session focused on scrum halves and those who took part were, Olly Venni, Ollie Townsend, Sean Cooper, Callum Traynor, Hugh Pritchard, Danny Hunter (watching due to injury), Tom Dougherty, Jimmy Adams and Toby Stockley.

The 90 minute session, prior to senior squad training, focused on box kicking from different pitch positions and the feedback from all levels was excellent. As the season progresses we hope to hold further sessions for the Academy players utilising internal and external coaches and we thank our sponsors for their support which has allowed us to hold these sessions.

Academy Colt in Irish Adventure

Conor Gracey has embarked on the second year of an Irish adventure and this weekend will be playing for the Irish Exiles U19 against Leinster in Manchester.

Conor was selected last season for the Exiles team, which is used by the Irish RFU as a means of identifying players who play ‘overseas’. Conor who plays no 8 for our Colts played at open side flanker last weekend in Ireland against Connacht and has been selected for this weekend’s game based on his performance.

We understand the Irish National selectors will be watching the game and the whole Academy and I’m sure the rest of the club wish him well.

Ádh mór ort Conor.

Academy Coaching Clinic

Last Tuesday (August 14^th) the first coaching clinic of Cambridge new academy took place with Simon Hodgkinson holding kicking clinic for selected players from the Senior squad, Colts and U17. Those who took part were, Elliot Bale, Adam White, Mike Ayrton, Michael Gillick, George Knowles, Josh Gray, Jake Kelling, Hugh Pritchard, Ryan Headington and Marcus Jones. Pictures of the session can be seen by clicking on the picture below.

Simon, as many of you will remember, is an ex England international full back who played 14 times for England between 1989 and 1991. During his playing career he played for Nottingham and Moseley and is now involved in coaching rugby at Oundle School as well as the England Women’s Rugby team. Indeed he had spent that morning coaching the kickers from the England team!

The 90 minute session, prior to senior squad training, focused on out of hand and place kicking and the feedback from all levels was excellent. Further sessions are planned for selected players on Tuesday August 28^th at 17:45 and other focused clinics for the 3 Academy age groups are being planned and will take place through the season.