London Scottish Academy

December and January saw the Academy players head North for Performance Development Group camps (PDG’s) and trials matches with a view to making the National Age Group Teams. Unfortunately whilst performing well and receiving some excellent feedback the guys did not quite make the final step up.

The fact that all our players were invited to attend the PDG’s shows that we’re going in the right direction and competing as they were, against many players who have professional academy backgrounds bodes well for the future.

Back at the club our Junior Academy (U13’s-U16’s) assessment days have been held and those players who have been selected begin their programmes at the end of January. Well done to all of them.

The club continue to support the Scottish Exiles programme by hosting the Regional Development Group skills evenings and January’s saw 25 players put through their paces. Exiles Player Development Manager, Rob Brierley feels the continued support from the club is vital to the growth of Exiles rugby in London and as it grows hopefully more players will progress to the club and country ranks.

Academy Summer Camp 29-31 August

unfortunately this has been cancelled due to unforseen circumstances

NEWS: July 18:

Ross Grimstone, Robert Macpherson-Smith and Andrew Pedder are moving up to the next level of development by being selected for the SRU's Player Development Group later this year.

Also...There will be also be two matches on the 30th of September, (U18's) and the 14th of October ( Colts), where the Scottish Exiles (South) will play Irish Exiles.

The first match is at St Mary's, Teddington the latter here at the club. Subject to Exiles selection the club academy players will feature.

Development Day

5 March 2007 - The Academy recently hosted a development day for the Scottish Exiles where 32 players in the 17/18 age group section were invited.

In addition to those earlier identified by the Exiles a further number were invited by the academy, both internal and external players, to establish their rugby skills level under close scrutiny.

Strength & conditioning coach Dean Sutton gave a presentation on appropriate training needs for young players and the academy staff and guest coaches put the players through a series of match related practises and drills to develop and highlight the skills needed to play the game at the highest level.

Former Scotland U21 and current Wasps Premiership player, Mark McMillan, gave a scrum half master class, with Harlequins RLFC player Ben Pegner working with Club Captain Alex Alesbrook and 1st XV player David Box to look at the tackle area. New community coach and 1st XV centre Bryan Milne, coached the role of the 1^st and 2^nd receivers and how important their role is in creating space.     

Academy Director Rowly Williams used the afternoon to show a series of Premiership highlights on the big screen to the group, pausing at appropriate moments to ask “ What would you do here” ??. The exercise, designed to improve decision making skills ‘on the hoof’, proved invaluable to the young players seeking to gain an insight into rugby at the top end and thus improve their own all round game. 

There will be a further development day over the Easter holidays. Date to be Confirmed.

The Academy will be aligned to the Exiles and SRU site at the Rosslyn Park Schools 7’s on the 19^th-22^nd of March.