Barrow Raiders stars teach youngsters skills of the game
Last updated at 13:26, Wednesday, 28 July 2010
THE next generation of Furness rugby league talent will be given a leg-up on the sport’s ladder this summer.
Reigning Championship champions Barrow Raiders have launched a new initiative where their stars will give hands-on training to aspiring RL players.
Play Like the Pros will see the likes of former Super League player Ned Catic, ex-England international Jamie Rooney and livewire hooker Nathan Mossop showing 12 to 16-year-olds how to master the skills they show on the field week-in, week-out.
The focus of the 60-minute sessions, to be held throughout the summer holidays, will be different for each player. Mossop, for example, will be looking at the dummy-half pass, Rooney at kicking and other players concentrating on tackling techniques, passing techniques and ball security.
Raiders community development officer Al Goodings said: “The main focus will be on enhancing the skills of young players utilising the current crop of professional rugby league players we have at our disposal.
“They’re pocket money sessions. They cost £2 each and the kids will get 60 minutes per session from one of the professional players on a skill you associate them with.
“Not all the skills we are aiming to improve would necessarily be out on the pitch though. We can also utilise the gymnasium and our plyometrics rooms.”
Each session will last an hour, with one professional holding court at each of them, looking at their specific skill.
Children taking part will need boots in wet conditions and training clothes.
If the sessions are a success, the club will look to make them a permanent fixture at Craven Park.
Goodings added: “This is a great opportunity for the local youngsters to engage and learn from some of the best professionals in the Championship.
“The community game is very important in the future outline of the club and we are striving to help improve it from the smallest level, right up to eligibility of signing for one of our teams.
“Being coached by a pro is a fantastic opportunity to learn how a ball is carried into contact or what sort of weights program should be followed specific to rugby league, for example.
“We could perhaps even put someone on a pathway to becoming the next local player for Barrow RLFC.”
Exact details of the sessions will be sent out to amateur clubs. The first took place today, with Andy Bracek, between 4pm and 5pm.
For more information, call Raiders community development officer Al Goodings on 07794 914938, or email alan@barrowrlfc.com
First published at 13:05, Wednesday, 28 July 2010
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
To Im Duff, Get yourself down there and take some hits from Mcdermott and Youngy, give the club a ring and arrange it, muppet
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Any time mate, over rated tripe that rugby lot, get to holker street and see a real team, real fans, real games, pure class
Posted by im duff on 5 August 2010 at 10:51