A Report From The Natal Sharks Academy
By Seb Stegmann and Tom Sargeant
August 30 2006
We arrived in Johannesburg completely under dressed for the freezing cold weather that greeted us, but after jumping on a plane to Durban we realised we had come to the right place where 25C is considered cold for winter!
We were met at the airport by John Louis, a former member of the Sharks Academy. He took us to the family that we would be staying with: Annelien, James, John and Giselle with their two Afrikaans speaking parrots. The family made us feel very welcome and we especially enjoyed their traditional South African cooking.
Seb and Tom in the ABSA Stadium
The Academy, which is based at Durban's ABSA Stadium is more like a University for talented players where they can combine rugby with their studies.
On our first day we were introduced to Academy manager Hans Scriba who asked us what we wanted to improve on in the next three weeks. We spent the rest of the day being put through all kinds of skills and fitness tests, which was knackering! The training introduced us to the different way in which rugby is played in S.A., particularly their techniques of passing and lines of running.
We were also given the opportunity to train with the Natal Under 18 and Under 21 sides, which was a real step up in terms of physicality and intensity. We also worked hard on our physical conditioning with coach Barry Angus, in the gym, in the pool and in the stadium itself making use of stairs in the grand stand for sprints.
Our time in S.A. also gave us the opportunity to experience some off-field activities, such as, paint balling with two former S.A. international paint ballers (we came off second best and had the bruises to prove it!), go diving with sharks at Ushaka Marine World, trying our hand at surfing and karaoke at Tom's Birthday!
We have learnt a lot about rugby and its integral part in S.A. culture and have come away with lots of new skills and ideas that will improve our game back home. We would like to thank Quinssa for enabling us to have this awesome experience and to Hans Scriba and our host family for making our time so enjoyable!
Seb and Tom
SEBASTIAN STEGMANN is on a sports scholarship at Cranleigh School and has played for England at U16 & U18 level. He has been a member of the NEC Harlequins EPDC since U15's. Sebastian represented England U18's a year young this season in the four nations tournament in Gloucestershire and has been invited to the Loughborough week in August for the top 40 players in the 16-18 age group. He is a strong running winger. Seb was also the recipient of a Quinssa Bursary last season. More about Seb.
TOM SARGEANT is a pupil at RGS Guildford and has also been a member of the EPDC since U15's. he represented England U16'A' and this year England U18 in Italy where he was part of the tournament winning side. He too has been invited to the Loughborough camp this summer. He plays his rugby on the flank and is equally at home at 6 or 7. More about Tom.
The Quinssa/Harlequin FC Academy scheme is a joint venture between Quinssa and the Harlequin FC Academy to raise funds to support the Harlequin FC Academy. All proceeds will be managed by Quinssa for the sole benefit of the Harlequin FC Academy with the usage of the proceeds to be mutually agreed between agreed representatives of each.
Tony Russ (former Academy Manager and now Head Scout) asked us to pass on:
"I am absolutely delighted to acknowledge the tremendous support which Quinssa is offering to the academy. Last season the association provided funds for four player bursaries and this year has gone even further in sponsoring our links with the Natal Sharks Academy. This support will enable two boys to spend a month with the Sharks during the summer of 2006. We are so lucky to have this support and I personally thank all members of Quinssa for their efforts on our behalf."
You can find out more about the Harlequin Academy here
You can find out more about the Natal Sharks Academy here