Residential camps serve both youth and coaches
The rugby camp has been well received by coaches and players who have attended the program since its inception.
Shawnigan Lake School will host their third annual Residential Summer Rugby Academy, July 8–13. The Academy offers both a residential youth camp and a residential coaching clinic.
The Residential Youth Camp will be open to girls and boys between the ages of 14 and 17 years. Canada U-17 coaches Jim Delaney and François Ratier will focus on skill development and games to ensure that each participant enjoys the experience and recognizes what it takes to play rugby at a national team level.
A second tier will also be offered for less experienced players.
Kieran Crowley (Canadian senior men’s XVs coach) and Geraint John (Canadian senior men’s 7s coach) will make guest appearances. Members of the Canadian representative teams (men and women) will assist with activities and coaching while serving as house parents in the dorms.
The camp has the support of Rugby Canada and the BCRU and has been well received by coaches and players who have attended the program since its inception.
Additions to the camp this year include a personal fitness program, a visit to the Canadian national rugby training facility in Langford, team building activities, hiking and more off-field recreation.
The Shawnigan Lake School Rugby Academy will also feature a concurrent residential coaching clinic. Participants will enhance their coaching ability in a collaborative environment using a combination of activities designed to improve individual coaching techniques and provide a better understanding of the methods used by the national level coaches.
This coaching clinic will be led by John Tait, who has worked full-time with the senior Canadian men and women since returning from a professional overseas career seven years ago. His senior 7s women’s team is currently ranked No. 1 in the world. Tait will offer a clearly defined coaching skill set as well as the National 7s Level 1 certificate.