Whilst the London Junior League season came to a close for 2017 on Saturday with the final Origin Fixture, London Skolars are delighted to launch their off-season programme which they hope will benefit all Junior Rugby League players in their catchment area.
There will be two programmes on offer for both existing London Skolars Squad members and new players who want the opportunity to join a performance pathway which has clear and straightforward avenues to success.
The 10-Week block of ‘Junior Athletic Development’ Sessions will begin on Monday 9th October and continue every Monday until December 11th. The sessions, devised using the expertise of our Coaching Staff and in partnership with fully qualified Strength & Conditioning coaches will provide young players with an age appropriate strength and conditioning programme which will develop general fitness, technical ability, control of movement, flexibility, speed, and strength. All key components for successful athletic performance. Sessions will cost just £5 for the hour and will be held at New River Sport & Fitness, in the freshly equipped London Skolars Gym.
The London Skolars ‘Player Development Programme’ will run on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings, beginning on Wednesday October 25th. The sessions will run every two weeks, with a rest week in between. These sessions over-seen by London Skolars 1st Team staff and led by Community & Squad coaches will be focused on on-field performance, aiming to improve a selection of specific Rugby skills that will benefit the player’s overall Rugby League ability come the kick off, of the 2018 season. To register for these sessions or to gain more information then players or parents are asked to contact Player Development Officer Mark Doherty on markdoherty@skolarsrl.com or via telephone on 020 8888 8488.
Community Development Manager Matt Cuss spoke of the importance of initiatives like this for the development of our young players ‘even though lots of our players who represent London Skolars are extremely capable rugby players and have played the sport for a few years, they still may have only played 20 or 30 games of Rugby League. It’s important that we recognise this and make sure that we offer our players the opportunity to partake in as much Rugby League as possible.’
Whilst the programme is mainly focused on London Skolars squad members and any other Junior League players from local clubs, Cuss also alluded the importance that the programme will serve to new and prospective players drawn from Skolars delivery within the local Community ‘we have decided to streamline our delivery for 2017-2018 and have focused on building strong partnerships with 4 or 5 local secondary schools rather than trying to spread ourselves too thin. Our off-season programmes will give those talented players who are identified by our Community staff an immediate outlet to get involved with the club without having to wait until our season launch in late January.’
Anyone who needs more information about either programme can contact the Community Staff at the club from 9-5 Monday to Friday.
