ZIMBABWE U20 Rugby coach, Shaun DeSouza, will this November launch the Shaun De Souza Rugby Academy which is meant to ingrain “rugby DNA” to the future players.
Speaking to EnterSportNews, De Souza said that he was motivated by losses at the U20 World Trophy to come up with a lasting solution to the challenges at hand.
“The push came about when I was reflecting on the losses against Scotland and Uruguay after the U20 World Trophy, it’s the small details that needs to be ingrained into our rugby DNA from position specific training that will enhance our performance to the next level,” he said.
The former Sables player also gave reference at the growth of rugby in Ireland owing to the success of the country’s academy system: “Ireland have an academy based system that has helped and improved their standard of rugby with a small pool of players that got them to Number 1 in the world. I believe those were my turning points (to start the academy.)”
The Academy will be targeting ages between the ages of 12 to 19. The reason for this range has been attributed to the long term player development for both boys and girls.
“The 12 to 16 years junior group’s key focus development area’s. (It will be a) fundamental stage learning to train stage and training to train stage,” he said.
“16 to 19 years is the senior group and the key focus areas training to compete and training to win.”
Registration process is underway and training sessions will start in November and run all year round.
He added SDRA24’s goal is to increase player participation, contribute to player pool into national age grade structures, increase player talent base into podium performance teams and increase position based rugby IQ.
“We seek to improve player performance standards with guidance in nutrition and consistent conditioning over and above rugby skill sets,” De Souza said.
For one to be a member of the Academy, there will be an annual membership fee and training session subscription fee for members and non members. There is also a avenue for home schooled students who want to learn the game of rugby.
Registration is currently ongoing on sd24rugbyacademy@gmail.com.
