Uni to host Alred Trophy

A SEARCH for Great Britain and Ireland’s next best rugby kicker will make its way to Loughborough University this April.

The Alred Trophy, founded by international rugby kicking guru Dave Alred (Jonny Wilkinson’s famed kicking coach), is modelled on the NFL Combine and will test kickers on a range of skills aimed at unearthing the region’s most promising under-18 kicking talent.

Taking place on April 6 at Loughborough University it’s a competition open to under 18 rugby kickers, founded by legendary kicking coach Dave Alred MBE, the mastermind behind globally renowned kickers like Jonny Wilkinson, George Ford and Jonny Sexton.

The combine-style one day competition tests kickers on a range of disciplines, designed to gauge their power, accuracy and performance under pressure. Each test simulates a matchbased scenario including; Longest Drive, Hang time and Target Restart, as well as the ultimate prize of the Best Goalkicker and the Alred Trophy.

Following a successful launch in 2020 in which 15-year-old Joshua Bellamy of Trinity School in Croydon took home the title, the Alred Trophy is expanding to include a series of regional competitions to be held in April, culminating in a final later in the year aimed at unearthing Great Britain and Ireland’s most promising under 18 kicking talent.

Alred said: “Kickers have the ability to influence and suddenly change the entire momentum of the game. Resting on their shoulders is the responsibility to set a platform for their team’s attack, but also to rescue their team from conceding points. They must have not only strength, accuracy and power, but also incredible mental aptitude to cope with the pressure.

“We’ve seen some incredible talent come through the ranks and I know there are many more undiscovered stars playing at grassroots level now. I’m excited to see who steps forward to take up the challenge and test themselves against the best.”