RUGBY coaches and some of the players from the West Suffolk College Sports Academy ran a master-class at Newmarket College. The academy players were helped by Tim Reed, RFU Community Development Coach, and Adrian Green from Newmarket RUFC.

RUGBY coaches and some of the players from the West Suffolk College Sports Academy ran a master-class at Newmarket College.

The academy players were helped by Tim Reed, RFU Community Development Coach, and Adrian Green from Newmarket RUFC.

West Suffolk College head coach Nigel Brown said: “It was an absolutely brilliant day, with 47 kids totally immersed in rugby.”

The idea for the master-class was born when representatives from the two colleges met at a local 10s competition. Neil Fisher from Newmarket, asked West Suffolk College to come along and coach young players from years 9, 10 and 11.

In the morning the West Suffolk College team took the Newmarket students through their paces in forwards and backs. Here they covered tackling, scrimmaging, lineout play and lines of running.

After a short break, the players were put through their paces in the gym. Ben Cooper took some of the older players in the weights room, outlining the sessions the Academy players are asked to do. For the younger players they were shown how to use their own body weight to assist in training. Academy players also outlined the diets they try to keep to.

Nigel Brown and Tim Mann also put the players through a short fitness session. This enabled them to see how the Academy squad keep their fitness levels so high.

After lunch all the coaching was put to the test. Newmarket College players had the chance to put into practise what they had been shown in conditioned games. They all had the chance to play in attack and defence, alongside the West Suffolk Academy players.

Neil Fisher said: “It's remarkable that the students have picked up so much. Having the players from West Suffolk College along to assist the coaches has been a brilliant influence.”

Tim Reed said: “Today has been a great success. The coaches and students have been an absolute credit to West Suffolk College.

“All the Newmarket College players seemed to enjoy the day, despite the occasional snow flurries. This is the first time we have run something like this. It has been so well received that we are hoping to run further days, not only in Newmarket but in other schools and colleges in the Eastern Counties.”