Blues development system bearing fruit

Posted on Jan 25, 2013 in Cardiff Blues

The starting XV of last Saturday’s team that recorded a 26-14 Heineken Cup win over Sale Sharks all came through the Blues Academy system

In the backs youngsters such as in-form centre Owen Williams, international winger Harry Robinson and young halfbacks Rhys Patchell and Lewis Jones only graduated from the Blues Academy recently. While Wales and Lions centre Jamie Roberts was one of the first crop to come through the Blues Academy.

Although Alex Cuthbert started playing rugby in Hartpury College in Gloucestershire, he was picked up at 18 years-of–age, by the Blues. The same is true of Full Back Leigh Halfpenny. He was released by the Ospreys at 18 and began his rugby education in the Blues Academy before going on to win honours with Wales and the Lions.

In the forwards, the front row of Sam Hobbs, Rhys Williams and Scott Andrews are all from the north of the region. Second row forwards James Down and Lou Reed have both been in the Welsh squad but graduated through the Blues age grade and academy system, before Reed took up a contract with the Scarlets.

In the back row Josh Navidi originally comes from the Ospreys region but was picked up by the Blues at 18, as was Andries Pretorius. The Number 8 is originally from South Africa but moved to the UK to study at Hartpury College before joining the Blues. Sam Warburton was born and raised in Cardiff and played age grade rugby for the region before graduating from the region and going on to captain his country.

The team shows that the system is working. Whether players have come through the system from an early age, or have been picked up from other regions academies the Blues are turning them into a team that can compete on the European stage and qualify to play for Wales.

WRU Performance Manager – Cardiff Blues, Richard Hodges, said,

"No one can say the Blues don’t develop and promote from within."

“A lot of work has gone in along the way by a lot of people and to have such a home grown squad is fantastic for those coming through the system now."

“They know that if they keep their head down and work hard they will have a shot at playing for their home region."

“This Sunday sees the U18s in their 5th consecutive final, they are unbeaten this season yet we all know the Scarlets will be a tough nut to crack."

“Yes the bigger picture is player development through the pathway but for 80 minutes on Sunday it will be about trying to win another final."

Cardiff Blues Director of Rugby, Phil Davies, said,

“The match against the Sale Sharks was a game we were able to field a full Welsh qualified team.”

“It shows that our Academy system is working well as it has done for a number of years.”

“It has produced some of the best players in Europe with the likes of Jamie Roberts, Alex Cuthbert and Leigh Halfpenny.”

“There is a new crop of youngsters who have come through which is fantastic and it’s exciting to see these young players develop.”

“From a personal view, I worked with a number of these players when I was coaching Wales Under 20 level.”

“Scott Andrews captained the side with Josh Navidi and Owen Williams also players who stood out.”

“We have an excellent development system at the Blues but it’s not only for the players.”

“Justin Burnell, Gethin Watts and now Richard Hodges have all done great work and the Academy has also developed some good coaches with Dale McIntosh, Lee Jarvis and Gareth Baber all having worked with our Academy.”

“When I was at Leeds we tried to have a 80/20 ratio where 80% of our players were home-grown, supplemented with 20% overseas players who brought something different to the squad.”

“If you can get around 80% of your squad from the local area it helps with team split and build local interest from around the community.”

“I feel it’s important that rugby teams are deep rooted in their community, it gives people a pride in their team and a sense of belonging as they can relate to the players.”

Talking ahead of the Age Grade Under 18 final this Sunday when the Blues take on the Scarlets at St Helens, Davies added,

“It’s a fantastic achievement for these youngsters to reach the final.”

“I speak on a regular basis to Richard Hodges who is our Academy manager.”

“The average age of our senior squad is 23 and then the Academy develops the next generation of players.”

“We have identified 75 players that we are developing so we will have a strong nucleus of players.”

“The likes of Luke Hamilton, Kristian Dacey and Macauley Cook are already coming through and have gained Heineken Cup experience at a very young age, which will only benefit us.”

“We are fortunate to have good people working in our community and Academy system who are developing these players and I wish the youngsters the best of luck for Sunday.”

Under 18’s Final

Cardiff Blues v Scarlets

Sunday 27 January 2.30pm kick off St Helens, Swansea

15 Aled Summerhill 14 Ollie Smyth 13 Garin Smith (vc) 12 Sam Edwards 11 Jack Huntley 10 Sam Withers 9 Shaun Clarke

1 Gus Mc Pherson 2 Liam Belcher 3 Dillon Lewis 4 Michael Snook 5 Ben Murphy 6 James Sheeky (c) 7 Matthew Marley 8 Ollie Hitchings

16 Rob Lewi 17 Ryan Spriggs 18 Kieron Belmont 19 Louie Burley 20 Bradley Llewellyn 21 Tom Williams 22 Tom McAloon 23 James Whittingham

Team News: Academy products get start for Falcons

Posted on Oct 12, 2012 in Newcastle Falcons

Newcastle Falcons ring the changes for this Saturday’s British and Irish Cup clash with Cross Keys at Kingston Park (kick-off 3pm).

Exciting academy products Zach Kibirige and Scott Wilson are handed debuts, while new addition Warren Fury also gets the nod at scrum-half.

After a string of A League outings Alex Tait pulls on the No. 15 jersey, with Pacific Islanders Suka Hufanga and Jamie Helleur forming an intriguing partnership at the heart of the backline.

Fijian international Waisea Luveniyali has a chance to impress at fly-half, while Kibirige and Michael Tait occupy both wings.

In the pack Grant Shiells and Matt Thompson keep their place in the front-row alongside debutant Scott Wilson.

Meanwhile his namesake Mark Wilson gets a starting berth after coming off the bench to score two tries against Moseley last week.

Sean Tomes and Scott MacLeod provide the power in the engine room, and Taiasina Tu’ifua is the driving force in the back-row. Will Welch skippers the side as the Falcons launch their British and Irish Cup campaign following six out of six wins in the RFU Championship.

“We have named a younger side than before, but it is an exciting side and I am really looking forward to seeing these guys in action,” said director of rugby Dean Richards.

He added: “We have seen footage of Cross Keys, and they are a good side who like to play an expansive style of rugby.

“The strength in depth within their squad is probably higher than some of the teams in the Championship so it will be a tough game for us.”

Coming into this weekend’s cup showdown on the back of a blistering start to their season, Richards is content with his side’s recent form but insists improvements need to be made to match the intensity of the Aviva Premiership.

Richards said: “I’m pleased with how things have been going but we’re not results driven, we’re performance driven, and we’re still vying week in and week out to make sure that the performances are the right performances.

“Consistency is what we have got to improve upon and everyone is working hard to get there. We are striving to play a style of rugby that is successful within the Premiership and not just the Championship.

“A lot of the things that we are getting away with now, we wouldn’t get away with in the Premiership. Although it is effective in the Championship, we need to put in place a game-plan that would be suitable for the Premiership.

“We have decided to give a number of players a run-out as we feel that they deserve the chance to show us what they can do.”

Newcastle Falcons: 15 Alex Tait, 14 Michael Tait, 13 Suka Hufanga, 12 Jamie Helleur, 11 Zach Kibirige, 10 Waisea Luveniyali, 9 Warren Fury, 1 Grant Shiells, 2 Matt Thompson, 3 Scott Wilson, 4 Sean Tomes, 5 Scott MacLeod, 6 Mark Wilson, 7 Will Welch (c), 8 Taiasina Tu’ifua

Replacements: 16 Michael Mayhew, 17 James Hall, 18 James Hudson, 19 Chris York, 20 Jordi Pasqualin, 21 Joel Hodgson, 22 James Fitzpatrick

Grimoldby joins Harlequins Academy

Posted on Sep 19, 2012 in Harlequins

Harlequins announced today (19th September) a further signing to the club’s Academy for the 2012-13 season.

Louis Grimoldby, an England qualified fly-half, has joined Harlequins’ Academy after a successful trial period with the London club.

The 18-year-old, who attended Stamford School in Lincolnshire, represented England U18 Clubs and Schools last season, kicking a total of 16 points in the 38-10 victory over Ireland U18 Clubs in May.
Grimoldby is currently balancing his rugby with studying on a Business Management degree at Kingston University.

“Louis had an excellent season last year and played very well for England and at Divisional level. He has made a big impact during his trial period with the club, which has included appearances in the JP Morgan 7s and at A League level" said Harlequins Academy Manager Tony Diprose. "I am delighted to welcome him as an Academy member and I’m sure he will look to push for first team rugby, following in the footsteps of many Harlequins Academy players, over the coming seasons."

Commenting on his signing, Louis Grimoldby said, “I am really excited to be joining the club after a successful trial period. This is a great opportunity for me and I am looking forward to the challenges ahead while developing as a player under the Harlequins coaching staff.”

Hynard appointed head of Premiership Rugby Academies and Development

Posted on Aug 30, 2012 in Premiership Rugby

Premiership Rugby have announced another key signing for their team, with the appointment of Mike Hynard as Head of Academies and Development.

Hynard joins Premiership Rugby after “13 amazing years” at Aviva Premiership Rugby side Saracens where he has worked as Rugby Manager for the last three years and Academy Manager for the five years prior to that.

The role of Head of Academies and Development is responsible for the continuing development of the Premiership Rugby Academies and the Elite Player Development Strategy.

Phil Winstanley, Rugby Director at Premiership Rugby, said “We have seen significant developments in the infrastructure and quality of the Academy system over the last few years. The development of young, world class talent is central to Premiership Rugby’s strategy and essential for England in the lead-up into Rugby World Cup 2015.

“Mike is extremely experienced in player development and knows intimately the Academy environment having come from Saracens where he has done a fantastic job over the last decade and more.

“He has overseen the development of a number of Aviva Premiership and International players including Owen Farrell and Alex Goode and I’m sure that he’ll be able to share these experiences for the benefit of all Clubs in the Aviva Premiership. I am looking forward to working with Mike and would like to thank Saracens for their support in allowing us to make this appointment.”

Hynard added: “I have had a amazing 13 years at Saracens and am leaving with some fantastic memories and lots of good friends. I would like to thank Saracens for giving me the opportunities they have and wish them the best of luck in the future. 

“I am very excited about starting this new chapter in my life at Premiership Rugby with Phil and the team.  I am passionate about player development and am looking forward to working with all the Premiership clubs and academies to continue to find and develop world class talent."

Hynard will continue the excellent work carried out by Corin Palmer, who has taken up the role as Rugby Operations Director at Worcester Warriors

He starts at Premiership Rugby on 17 September.

Andries Pretorius appointed Cardiff Blues Captain

Posted on Aug 20, 2012 in Cardiff Blues

Cardiff’s number 8 Andries Pretorius has bee appointed Captain for the 2012/13 season.

The 25 year old was born and bred in South Africa, Andries Pretorius moved to the U.K. in 2006 to study business at Hartpury College in Gloucestershire, an establishment that has a proud rugby tradition. Having skippered Hartpury and represented England Students, Andries then linked up with Gloucester’s Academy, before deciding to make the move to Cardiff.

The powerful back rower from Durban made his debut for the Blues against Connacht in December 2009.

Speaking of the appointment, Pretorius said,

“It’s a big honour to be appointed captain especially where we are as a team.

“We’ve got a young team and we are building towards the future, it’s a privilege to be part of it.”

“Paul Tito and Xavier Rush were both players that I learnt from and both of them were phenomenal for the club.”

“We’ve got a good team and a good group of young players.”

“We haven’t just got one leader we’ve got some good guys in the team who are all leaders.”

“Someone like Josh Navidi talks a lot on the field, which is great, and that’s where we want to do our talking this year.”

“Everyone knows their jobs and knows their responsibilities, there’s an attitude growing in the team where we are working hard for each other and pushing ourselves both mentally and physically.”

“Having guys like Leigh, Gavin, Josh, Bradley and Daf just makes my job easier, knowing I have these guys behind me.”

(more…)