Front line report from Sharks Rugby Camp at Egremont
17 Feb 2012
Sale Sharks have been holding three Rugby Camps this Half Term week - at Egremont, Manchester and Preston Grasshoppers Rugby Clubs. The camps aim to give young rugby players the best opportunity to improve their skills whilst having fun during holiday time. The camps feature specialist coaching from the RFU and are designed to reinforce the basic core techniques, whilst also developing the more advanced skills.
Sharks' Fan of the Year Alex Rigby, who has given up her own half term to sample life with the club on voluntary work experience, travelled back to the depths of her native Cumbria to see what happens on a typical day at a Rugby camp. Here's her report:
On Wednesday 16th February 2012, I accompanied Helen Stuart, Community Events Co-ordinator, and two players to Egremont Rugby Club in West Cumbria for a community rugby session. This is what we got up to…
I arrived at the Sale Sharks office at about 9.15am ready for a day out in chilly Cumbria. We set off just after ten to go and pick up the two players who were coming with us for the day - Will Bordill and Ross Harrison. Both players are part of the Jets team and both play in the U20 teams of Scotland and England respectively. After we had worked out who had the longest legs, so was sitting in the front of the car, we set off for Egremont.
The drive up to Egremont took about two and a half hours so we eventually arrived at the rugby club at about 1.30pm. Having stretched our legs and met our Egremont hosts we went into the clubhouse. The players first of all did a question and answer session with all youngsters on the rugby camp. Will and Ross sat at the front of the room with all the attendees sat in front of them. Helen introduced Will and Ross to the young players as 'future legends' and then the questions began. The question and answer session lasted about ten minutes with the majority of questions being about football. The questions varied from: how many hours in the gym do you spend a week? What football team do you support? and why have you never been picked?
After the question and answer session finished Helen and I handed out the Sharks rugby camp tee shirts and the letter for the free ticket to a Sharks v Wasps match (on 24th February) to all the camp participants, who also received a free rugby ball as well.They then formed an orderly queue to get Will and Ross to sign them. Some players even got Will and Ross to sign their letter!
We then went outside and congregated underneath the Egremont Rugby Club sign ready for a photo to be taken with the participants, the coaches, Will and Ross and of course our famous mascot Sharky! After we'd had a few goes at taking the photograph, the camp attendees went and did some training on the field with the coaches. Will and Ross watched half of the players doing a decision making drill and then moved up the pitch and watched the other group play a passing game in teams. After about five minutes of watching Will and Ross joined in with the game, each taking a team each. The teams had a quick team talk and the game of England v Scotland began. I am no referee but there was definitely a bit of cheating going on from both sides! The game eventually ended in a draw.
It was then time to leave Egremont to drive back to Manchester. As we set off back for Carrington at about 3.30pm I fell asleep to the faint sound of snoring coming from the player sat next to me!
See Alex's photo collection here.
Player fact files
Will Bordill Position - Flanker. Previous clubs - Preston Grasshoppers, Sandbach. Representive honours - Scotland U20s, U18s
Ross Harrison Position - Tight head prop. Previous club - Lymm. Representive honours - England U20s, U18s. Debut for Sharks - La Vila (away)
Next Sharks Rugby Camps: Crewe & Nantwich RUFC, April 3rd, 4th, 5th and back at Preston Grasshoppers on the same days. ( 9 a.m. to 3.30 p.m.) £70 for the 3 days.
Book online by clicking here. Enquiries 0161 286 8888 (ext 268).
