It’s yet another end to a successful High Performance Course held at Konka Camps and Game Reserve in the North West Province of South Africa. The Investec International Rugby Academy are proud of the 28 young men who contributed with every muscle in their body on the High Performance Players Course, which ran from 2-24 June, with the High Performance Coaches Course running in tandem to the players course (from 13-24 June).
The calibre of players on the course was outstanding and they were certainly put to the test in a grueling match against a powerful Valke U21 team. After initially struggling to find their rhythm the Investec Academy team started to implement all they had learned and took control of the second half running in 3 impressive tries in the second game.
The line-up of coaches was impeccable and offered a lifetime of experience and knowledge which was passed onto the young men. John Connolly (former Wallabies coach), Murray Mexted (All Black Legend), John Plumtree (Sharks Head Coach), Dick Muir (Assistant Springbok Coach), Gary Gold (Assistant Springbok Coach ) along with other position specific coaches: Corne Krige, Werner Swanepoel, Braam van Straaten, Andries Strauss, John Allan, Johan Ackerman, Ian Macdonald, James Small, Percy Montgomery, Rob Kempson, Wayne Taylor and Louis Koen.
This great array of international coaches allowed these young men to flourish in their individual positions as well as gain experience and exposure to some of the “icons“ of the game. This course has created a great platform for all involved to take their careers to the next level - both personally and professionally.
It is difficult to single out any one player in a situation like this, but after much discussion we were able to choose five young men who had proven themselves throughout the course and outshone the rest. One of the five young men was rewarded with the opportunity to travel abroad and further his development in the game:
Frank Wagenstroom won the Penguins Rugby Award and will be selected for the HSBC Penguin tour at the end of the year to the Singapore Cricket Club 7s and the HSBC COBRA 10s in Kuala Lumpur. Frank has represented South Africa at U18, U19 and U21 level (part of the victorious South African U21 world cup team), is part of the Sharks Super 14 squad and has played numerous Currie cup games and plays wing. Frank was provided the opportunity to join this prestigious course courtesy of Mr Price who provided him with a scholarship to The Investec International Rugby Academy High Performance Players Course.
The Konka Team Man on the three week finishing school was Sybrand De Waal, who stood out and really made a substantial difference in a team environment. Pieter Oosthuizen walked away with the ‘best back’ award and Dean Muir was awarded with the ‘best forward’ award. Both of these players were given scholarships, Pieter by KFC and Dean by Quantum Investments. The final award went to Wilbur Wright who was the ‘most improved’ player.
The Investec International Rugby Academy’s next course will be held from 27th November - 16th December 2011, aimed at the aspiring professional player, and a two week course running from 5th – 16th December for the aspiring professional coach.
For further information call +27 11 706 3355 or email guy@investecacademy.com
Picture is of Penguin Award Winner Frank Wagenstroom with sponsor Craig Brown.