Leinster Rugby host School of Excellence in northern Italy

September 8, 2023 11:30 am Site Editor

Leinster Rugby have launched an exclusive week-long School of Excellence at Lagaria Rugby Club in Italy, led Leinster’s Development Staff, between 28 August and 1 September.

The camp was open to all male and female age-grade, college rugby athletes.

The School of Excellence is one such camp that has been running for over 25 years, with over 1,200 boys and girls taking part every summer. It aims to develop smart and skilful rugby players and inspire the mindset and training habits that will help them achieve their full potential, at whatever level they choose to pursue the game.

Campers will have learned to play the Leinster way, as they gain a greater understanding of the game and learn about teamwork, commitment, and communication. Campers experienced a structured rugby development programme, emphasising skill development, game understanding, activity, and enjoyment.

The campers will have developed core rugby skills and learned to perform them under challenging conditions through coaching in a professional environment.  Clinics, video analysis, nutritional information and mental preparation are all key ingredients in the School of Excellence program.

Leinster Rugby’s South East Community Rugby Officer, Corey Carty (pictured above) said, “The Camp, now in its second year has grown massively. We started last year with 27 players and this year we ended with 102 players, with over 50 of them travelling a significant distance to get here. For those players we were able to offer them a week-long residential stay”.

“As always none of this would be possible without the volunteers and members of the club. A special mention needs to be made for Samuel Zambelli and Marco Lasta for organising and controlling the week and all the translators that helped us for the week”.

Carty was joined in Italy by Leinster Rugby colleagues Ray McCabe, Gareth Murray and Jonathan Sharkey.