How Italy revolutionised their youth system to produce a golden generation – and what Australia can learn from it
They used to be the laughing stock of the Six Nations. Winners of the wooden spoon 18 times in 24 years. Never escaping from…
It is often seen that rugby lacks the development programs and talent identification of other codes, but a recent article on the Rugby Heaven website seems to indicate that it is better developed than many think, just not perhaps publicised as much.
To take some quotes from National Development manager Ben Whittaker, (who used to be the Queenslad Development Manager): “One of the key things we’ve done is put in place a couple of programs in our national and junior Gold Squad program that now span the whole country to identify and then develop emerging talent.
“In the last 18 months we’ve got about 750 kids involved in the program at various levels. They range from 14 to 18 years of age.
“We’ve got 40 national talent scouts and we have development staff that oversee everything and are out there building the game and participation.”
Since its inception in 2004, the Gold Squad program has helped to shape 14 Wallabies, including O’Connor, Cooper, Kurtley Beale, Will Genia and David Pocock.
National development manager Whitaker said the future looked just as bright, with more than 750 junior footballers between 14 and 18 taking part in a range of daily, weekly and programs to prepare them for Super Rugby and international duty.
What do you think? Are the ARU doing the right thing or in your experience is this still lacking in talent spotting?
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
They used to be the laughing stock of the Six Nations. Winners of the wooden spoon 18 times in 24 years. Never escaping from…
The Australian derby is the major point of difference this week as our panel of tipsters are closely aligned again after a tight week…
Former Wallabies captain Michael Hooper is set to make his Australia Sevens debut in Hong Kong next weekend as he tries to prove himself…
Whether or not it will prove his selection headache to have, Darren Coleman has promised there will be a place in the backline for…
Fresh off re-committing to Australian rugby, the Tahs young gun fronted the media to explain why.
The Queensland Reds and the ACT Brumbies will battle it out under the lights of Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night, and one team will…