Blast

Coventry’s Ricoh Arena maybe playing host to matches at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, but it's youngsters from Nuneaton who, this week (1-3 September), are making those killer passes and bone crunching tackles.

Around 15 youngsters turned up on the first day of camp to be put through their paces by England Counties player and summer camp coach Huw Thomas.

The kids, aged 7 to 14-years, will work on different aspects of the game over the intensive three-day camp. While all the youngsters at the camp have rugby experience and are members of Nuneaton RFC, also known as the Nuns, the camp also tried to attract new starters.

Playing Rugby

Thomas said: “Around half the kids, while they have experience of the game, it’s only playing ‘tag rugby’. Here at the camp we are going to get them tackling, but importantly tackling correctly and safely."

Other areas of training at the camp include conditioning work, circuit training and playing skills. To play such physical sport you have to be fit and healthy and by engaging the kids in workouts and circuits, they are helping the youngsters keep fit and lead a healthy lifestyle.

Thomas laughed: “That’s our wet weather topic! If the weather gets bad we take them inside and teach them about the body and how to keep it fit and healthy, but while we’re outside it’s all about playing lots of games and having fun!”

Thomas’s coaching assistants are players from Nuneaton’s Colts team - the camp plays a key part in helping the young players gain coaching qualifications, and some college qualifications as well. Thomas said: “It’s great to have lads from the Colts come and help and in return I can sign them off for coaching and sports leader’s awards.”

Three days may not seem like a long time, but Thomas confidently said: “You can see them improve over the camp, its great, and it makes it worthwhile. I started at camps like this and played for the juniors when I was about seven and now I’m doing the coaching!”

The main reason for the camp, Thomas said: “It’s to get the kids to enjoy Rugby, having fun is what it’s all about. I want them to appreciate the game and want to play; it’s got to be fun though you can’t over do it. Having fun is the most important thing!”