ESPN Rugby analyst and former England international Austin Healey joined Worcester Warriors coaches and players to lead a coaching masterclass for more than a 100 youngsters new to rugby at RSA Academy in Tipton.
The 11 to 14-years-olds received expert advice and coaching from Worcester Warriors coaches and players with a fun session introducing core rugby skills as well as the chance to talk rugby with ESPN’s Austin Healey and Worcester Warriors players Kai Horstmann, Shaun Perry and Ceri Jones.
Austin said: “I had a great day at RSA Academy. It was fantastic seeing so many young people interested in learning rugby. Some of them have played a bit before but for many others it was their first experience. I certainly spotted a couple of people with huge potential and natural talent and hope that they will continue playing rugby from now on.”
This season, ESPN and the home club of every Aviva Premiership Rugby match broadcast live on the channel will be offering an exciting ESPN Premiership Rugby Masterclass to the local community during the two weeks leading up to the match. Either a rugby masterclass will be offered to a local school new to rugby for 11 to 14-year-olds, or a coaching masterclass will be offered to local volunteer coaches from grassroots clubs.
Former England and Leicester Tigers’ players and ESPN rugby analyst Austin Healey and Ben Kay, along with ESPN rugby presenters Mark Durden-Smith and Nick Mullins will take part in the masterclass programme, helping to coach, inform and inspire new rugby players as well as established coaches.
In addition to the two types of masterclass, there will also be a special end of season coaching session for the very best players from each of the masterclasses at schools new to rugby on the day of the Aviva Premiership Rugby Final on Saturday May 26, 2012. Run by Premiership Rugby coaches, it will involve a coaching session and a chance to meet some of the ESPN rugby presenters or analysts as well as tickets to the final.