Stirling get timely advice from Bok guru

STIRLING High School rugby coaches and first team players received a timely boost ahead of the coming rugby season when they hosted a coaching clinic conducted by former Springbok coach Ian McIntosh at Stirling last week Thursday.

With the 2018 season kicking off next month it came at the perfect time for the coaches to pick up a few important tips.

“We used the first team players as demonstrators, with him (McIntosh) putting them through different drills,” said Stirling High School Head of Sport Charles Howe.

“It was for the high school and primary school coaches to take out technical points and aspects they need to work on and how to run certain drills.

“I thought it went very well, although it could have been longer though as we ran out of time.”

The session was organised by former Springbok and Sharks utility back Russell Bennett, who is involved with the Stirling first team this year.

“Russell Bennett is coaching here with me in the first team and he organised it through the rugby legends,” said Howe.

“We are hoping we can get Ian to come down again for another session, possibly a classroom session with the high school coaches, where they can watch Super rugby and go through the different aspects of the game.”

The first team players taking part will have also benefited from the clinic and will look to take that into the coming season, which starts in mid-March with the Border Schools Day.

Last year Stirling enjoyed a solid season, including a famous victory over Queen’s College.

“I think he was talking 60% to the players and 40% to the coaches, so I think they got a bit out of it and picked up a few things that they can now implement,” said Howe.

“We are happy that we have retained most of the guys from last year, but still a lot to do.

“I think with most of them back they will be very confident, but they need to work and try better what they did last year and improve on that effort.”