England to hold training session in front of schools& clubs
By RFU Press Release
January 22 2012
ENGLAND will hold a training session for Yorkshire clubs and schools to watch on Friday, January 27.
| England to hold training session in front of schools and clubs | ||||
ENGLAND will hold a training session for Yorkshire clubs and schools to watch on Friday, January 27. England Head Coach Stuart Lancaster said: “We are really looking forward to training in front of what I’m sure will be a very vocal and supportive crowd. Every international player started off at a club or school – it’s the grounding that helped make them into the players they are – and we should never forget that. This is our way of showing our appreciation of the support that they give England. I am sorry we can't hold an open session for everyone to attend. We did look into that possibility and for various reasons, mainly safety ones, it wasn’t possible but we do hope that those who come along have a great time.” An allocation of tickets has been granted to students and staff from the University of Leeds, where squad members Tom Palmer and Calum Clark studied, and Head of Sport Rob Wadsworth added: “We are delighted to be hosting the England Elite Squad as part of their Six Nations preparations. We believe the facilities and services at the University of Leeds Weetwood Sports Ground are of a first-class standard and will provide the England Squad with the perfect venue to prepare for the Six Nations.” RFU Director of Rugby Development Steve Grainger said: “That England are holding a training session like this will be a massive boost to rugby in Yorkshire and I am sure there will be lots of people excited about going to see them. Stuart has consistently talked about the team connecting with the rugby community at large and what better way than to give schoolchildren and club members the chance to watch them prepare for the Six Nations.” |
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Thursday January 26, 2012
Issued by Tony Simpson
Dylan Hartley coaches Wetherby Under-13s in the festival at West Park Leeds Rugby Club
THE biting winds which swept across the playing fields of West Park Leeds fulfilled England Head Coach Stuart Lancaster’s hopes of Yorkshire creating a Murrayfield environment for his men, but that chill was obscured by the warmth that was generated by England’s involvement in an Under 13 festival involving eight teams and 96 youngsters from local clubs and schools.
The England EPS squad were out in numbers at West Park for the session and the enthusiasm displayed by both sets of players on a challenging night underlined the value to the community and the squad of the initiative.
“I thought the enthusiasm showed by the England players rubbed off on the youngsters and everything was positive,” said RFU Coach Development Manager John Lawn:“We had lots of good skills on show tonight, but also the interest in the visit of the England squad has been massive.
“There has been huge interest not only across Yorkshire, but also from rugby right across the North. There is certainly a massive demand for us to see them again.”
Dylan Hartley confirmed the enjoyment that the players had experienced. “It’s been very entertaining and it’s great to see the kids enjoying themselves so much. It’s been very cold, but they’re all in good spirits.
“The new Shaping the Game rules are a bit different, but they seemed to create more space and resulted in everyone passing the ball more.
“In terms of the buzz it created among the England lads, I was running around like I was playing the game. When I pitched up today, a met my Wetherby team and asked them who they wanted as their coach. They all said Tuilagi!
“Having 20 of the 32 lads here today is pretty good and of course there was a competitive element between us ahead of the festival which added to the enjoyment.”
Players from 33 schools in the Leeds and surrounding area were involved in eight club teams and the enthusiasm among the parents who attended was summed up by Otley Under 13 coach Same Waddington, who said: “I think the whole project has been fantastic. I can’t believe how excited the lads have been for a fortnight and what an impact Stuart’s decision has made.
“It’s been a great buzz for the area. It’s great for the kids to see these players up close and great for them to hear people like Dylan Hartley shouting their heads off in encouragement.”
The full England squad will be on parade tomorrow when invited representatives of clubs and schools attend a training session on Friday morning at Leeds University’s handsome Weetwood headquarters.
That session will an invited capacity audience of 2,500 RU enthusiasts as Yorkshire supporters get their first opportunity to see the England players in training at close quarters.
Tomorrow night back at West Park Leeds Lancaster will be holding a session for senior coaches which brought the ‘full house’ signs into use only 48 hours after applications were accepted. The event has 125 attendees, with 120 on a waiting list.
“A lot of work has gone into bringing all together, but it’s been absolutely brilliant.” Said Leeds Rugby Development Officer Alex Bowden: “The England lads have been as enthusiastic as the players and the feedback from parents and teachers has been terrific.”
Bramley Phoenix, Leodiensians/Yarnbury, Moortown, Otley, Roundhegians, Morley, West Park Leeds and Wetherby supplied the players who enjoyed this rare opportunity to get hands-on coaching from their England heroes.