Making play of it for rising tide of talent

Academy imparts skills to kids up to Grade 2 level

THE young rugby players showcased their talents as the Little Legends Rugby Academy held its annual matchday at Selborne Primary School on Friday afternoon.

Twice a term the pupils get a chance to demonstrate their skills in a friendly and competitive rugby match.

“It was a great day out with the kids showing some great progress from last term,” said head of Little Legends Rugby Academy Adam Robertson.

“There’s no emphasis on the score but rather loads of fun and getting all the kids involved.

“The idea is that all the boys go away with fun experience on game day which are twice a term.”

The Little Legends Academy has been running for the past 12 years, between Selborne and Stirling Primary with Robertson coaching the players.

“The boys have one practice a week, practices are structured so we run a certain drill for two to three weeks until the boys get it right and then progress onto something new or step it up a level making the drill a little harder,” explained Robertson.

“First and foremost we teach ball skills and handling the ball.”

The kids who are able to attend the academy have to be from four to eight years old, basically from Grade 0 to Grade 2.

“The goal is for the Grade 1s to be able to run, catch and pass and full speed as well as tackle correctly and safely.

“Grade 2 we up it and teach the boys to make good decisions with the ball and more importantly off the ball.

“We add loads of fun games into the sessions so there is large element of fun getting the most out of the boys.”

In all the goal of the Little Legends Academy is to prepare the kids for full contact rugby once they reach a certain age, and to make sure they are well prepared for what is to come.

“The aim is to mould these young players so by the time they get to U9 they can catch, pass, tackle and make decisions with the ball, all in all a firm grounding,” admitted Robertson.

“We obviously also push teamwork and discipline that goes along with being good at any sport.”

Robertson said many of the players that come through his academy continue with rugby throughout their schooling careers, eventually turning out for their school first teams.

“There are boys scattered throughout the Selborne College first team as well as some of the other first teams in East London,” claimed Robertson.

For more information on the Little Legends Rugby Academy you can check them out on Facebook.