BATH RUGBY
Over the summer, 26 boys took part in a week long Bath Rugby residential camp at Warminster School, designed to mirror that of a Bath first team rugby player. The first two days where filled with high intensity sessions, led by Bath rugby community coaches. The sessions analysed different principles and the core skills of attack and defence, as well as strength and conditioning sessions. The boys found the sessions tough but worked hard throughout and showed a lot of improvement. At the end of the day they were taken through a typical post match recovery session in the outdoor pool. Jack Howden, Head of Player Development at Bath Rugby, led educational workshops with topics covering leadership, the importance of nutrition, as well as tactical analysis and reflection.
A trip to Battlesbury Barracks in Warminster on Wednesday saw the boys complete a number of different team building exercises, followed by a visit to the army base’s war museum. Thursday’s trip to Bath’s stadium at the Rec proved to be hugely popular. The boys were invited to observe the first team squad run through a mobility session as part of Bath’s preparation for the opening Friday night pre-season friendly game against the Scarlets. At the end of the session the players took part in an insightful Q+A session. Inspired by everything they had seen, the boys then paid a visit to Bath’s elite training facility at Farleigh House and were put through their paces making the most of the very latest facilities and equipment.
The residential week proved extremely popular with regular attendees and newcomers alike – some came as far a field as Brussells! The week ended with the highly anticipated house touch competition, which was carried out with unwavering enthusiasm and sportsmanship. A huge thank you to the boys for their exemplary behaviour from start to finish and an even bigger thank you must go to the catering department who provided much needed nutrition throughout the week!
Tom Simpkins, PE & Games