Sessions

The primary principle to learning at the clinic is that we only ever learn to walk because we fall over, therefore we must not be fearful of falling but embrace it as an opportunity to learn, progress and move forward. It’s important that the environment is safe, and the skills clinic works hard to ensure we are as safe as one can be in a sport where an injury is an inevitability.

Returning to the skill of tackling mentioned in our introduction, it’s clear and obvious that choosing the right tackle and knowing the principles of how to execute the tackle can play a key role in reducing the risk of injury as well as achieving the desired outcome. For this reason, we teach six basic tackle techniques, although we recognise that most tackles as seen on TV are a combination of elements from these six primary techniques (we do not teach the chop tackle and would not encourage its use).

The same logic is applied to all of the skill sets we explore. In general, the formal learning element of a session makes up 50% of the session time with the other 50% being devoted to game or skill related activity with a focus on fun and within an environment which we hope encourages youngsters to have ago, stretch their own abilities and in doing so learn to take and manage game-related risks. On occasions we will visit core, flexibility and balance, this fits well within the RFU regulations that require some periods of the year to have less focus on rugby specific activity.

The final aspect of our delivery we retain for those occasions when the weather forces us to vacate the training pitch. On occasion and when available we are permitted to use the backroom of WRFC for an indoor session where we review and discuss game footage. This off-pitch learning was a crucial aspect of Joe’s journey from his early days at the skills clinic to his first start in the Premiership just before his 18th birthday. As a parent, I found it almost intimidating how sharp and focused he became through watching and understanding the action detail of others. Breaking outcomes down into a series of mini processes can unearth so much knowledge and understanding.

The skills clinic is targeted at school years 6 – 11 and we hope that if your child does decide to participate that they will grow in their knowledge and understanding. We recognise that young people will often go through phases and that some will, therefore, drift in and may drift out of rugby. We hope that for whatever motivation they join or leave, their time within the skills clinic will be both enjoyable and beneficial.

Important info when checking in at the clinic:

Please follow the path from the cattle grid by the entrance to the changing rooms that runs along the northern end of the 1st team pitch to check into the clinic, you will see where the 🚗 red van is. Once checked in parents/guardians can leave but they must make arrangements for the youngster's collection. 

We would also request that all respect the clubs’ guidance 🐶 regarding dogs not being allowed on the pitch grassed areas.