Development Camps Kick-Off for Region's Top Young Players

Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union’s annual player development camps kicked-off this week with 40 of Hawke’s Bay’s best under-14 rugby players gathering at Lindisfarne College for three days of intense training on Monday.

The boys’ development camp is one of four sponsored by Unison taking place these school holidays. The other three camps will also give the region’s most promising boys under-16, boys under-18 and under-18 girls the opportunity to develop their rugby skills further.

Following the camps, Hawke’s Bay representative sides from each of the four camps will be selected to play in the Hurricanes regional tournaments in September.

Hawke’s Bay Player Development Manager, Joe Payton who is leading the camps alongside former Magpies captain and Super Rugby player, Jason Shoemark, said he is enjoying working with the young players.

“The young players that have been selected have really shown some promise. These camps give them the opportunity to further develop their skills and experience the sort of support that professional players receive.

“They’ve got access to some of the region’s top coaches and players, including current Magpies, Ellery Wilson and Jason Long. We have trainers, nutritionists and mental skills coaches on board.”

Unison Relationship Manager and HBRU referee, Danny Gough, said Unison was pleased to support the camps for the ninth consecutive year.

“As an organisation, we’re extremely proud to have sponsored junior rugby and the development camps in Hawke’s Bay for the best part of a decade.

“To have seen players such as Jonah Lowe, who was a Unison medal recipient as a junior, and Under 20 World Champion Tiaan Falcon, progress to fully fledged Magpies is a great testament to how development camps like these can support young players to achieve to their potential,” said Danny.

Danny Gough
Unison Relationship Manager
021 739461