- Aug 2003 -
The NZ Rugby Education Experience of a Lifetime.
Dennis BUS (19yrs) and Niels Rijsenbrij (20yrs),
two young Dutch rugby payers, arrived safely back
home in the Netherlands last Wednesday after four
weeks in New Zealand having the rugby education
experience of a lifetime, and were full of enthusiastic
stories about their stay in New Zealand. Both
had a wonderful learning experience and found
the hospitality both at the Zingari Richmond rugby
club and the Otago RFU overwhelming.
Geoff Old who is Director International Player
Development for Kudu Rugby USA, has set up a strategic
alliance with RugbyNZED to enable young players
from all over the world the opportunity to have
the rugby education experience of a lifetime.
The NZ NPC Rugby Unions participating in the program
are North Harbour, Taranaki, Manawatu and Otago.
“It sounds like they enjoyed every moment”
says Geoff Old of Kudu Rugby USA who set up the
contact. “I am pleased to be of help - This
is what the game is all about. These young men
experienced one of the best rugby environments
in the world, they will now be well aware of the
levels/standards required to be top rugby players.”
The promising young players trained hard for
several months and it proved to be of huge importance
to making the program the success it was. Dennis
(a flanker/centre) was especially fit and so it
proved. Dennis says, “Its well worth all
the pain and effort when my fitness is up there
at NPC levels.”
“The players learned a lot at the Otago
RFU” continues Old, “and did very well
at Zingari Richmond Rugby Club. Dennis ran the
fastest 3km time trial of Otago Rugby Football
Union Rugby Academy players present which impressed
the NZ coaches. Dennis and Niels played a game
every week, allowing them to show on the field,
what they had learn’t at practice. I think
the formula of focusing on individual skills and
watching several trainings of all levels of NPC
teams, combined with club trainings and playing
games is excellent.”
The players stayed together in a ‘home-stay’
family environment which was perfect; they felt
at home for four weeks, watching, talking, eating
sleeping and immersed in a rugby environment 24/7.
The timing of the rugby education experience
allowed them to view close-up the NZ All Blacks
and South Africans in training, culminating in
the highlight of the trip of receiving 1st class
seats for the Tri Nations clash at the ‘House
of Pain”, Carisbrook International Stadium,
Dunedin.
Geoff Old says “This is a great beginning
– not the end - of an exciting rugby career
for both of these young men. They received tools
for continued learning, consisting of CD-ROMs,
videos and several books and papers. I am sure
we will see both representing their country at
International level very soon. I am also pleased
that there will be a continuing relationship between
the Netherlands and Otago. It might be a long
way to the other side of the world (Amsterdam
to Dunedin), but by providing the opportunity
for a selected few players to experience NZ rugby
close-up (with sponsorship) can only improve the
game in that country– raising the bar, raising
the standards, setting goals and improving the
intensity required to be successful consistently
at a higher level.”
Anyone wishing to find out more about this unique
Player Development program which provides talented
players the opportunity to develop their careers
should contact;
Geoff Old, Director, International Player Development
303-918-1060
Mike Dunafon: Founder and Chair
303-961-2024
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Kudu Rugby USA was born out of the belief that
Rugby is the only sport to offer collegiality
and mentoring between generations of players.
Through the sales of rugby uniforms and sportswear,
Kudu Rugby USA provides a portion of its proceeds
to youth rugby through foundations that set up
player development camps and arrange for scholarships
to cover travel expenses of young men and women
involved in international rugby competition.
Kudu Rugby USA also supports the mentoring aspect
of this growing sport by offering its own world
class player development camps designed to improve
player abilities and introduce young players to
world class athletes and coaches of yesterday
and today. Kudu Rugby USA is proud to sponsor
the Canadian National Women's Team and the Canadian
National U-19's.
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