Starting at next week's four-day rugby courses at Newark and Melton Mowbray RFC, the young players attending will be introduced to judo in the rugby environment by some of the country's leading judo coaches under the guidance of Tigers' very own judo expert, Wayne Lakin.
The Tigers senior set-up have recently seen the impact Judo can give to top professionals who are constantly striving to improve their contact techniques, balance and weight transfer. So much so, that the first team and academy now have their very own judo coach. Wayne's brief is to develop specific judo skills & techniques that cross over to the rugby environment. He also works on behalf of the BJA with his team of coaches in schools around the country.
"It is great news that the rugby courses have taken this element of our training onboard," says Paddy Mortimer, Tigers' sports psychologist and strength trainer. "The direct benefit to younger players in gaining movement skills, strength, contact skills and body management through judo will not only turn them into better rugby players but better sportsmen too. Judo has a strong ethos of discipline and respect and Wayne and his team of coaches will demand a high level of excellence. All of the coaching team have competed at the highest level and will bring something extra special to what is already an outstanding rugby week."
Scott Clarke, Tigers' community manager, said, "We have always looked to run our courses on the basis of what the big boys do week in week out. For the past two years, the first-team squad and academy have looked at judo and wrestling to develop contact skills and techniques to give them the edge over their opponents. The rugby course programme has always had a direct link to the training ground in terms of its rugby content and, now we have secured the next addition, things can only get bigger and better for all the attendees.
"Our ideal outcome is that all rugby course attendees get a chance to sample judo and its cross -over skills and then perhaps look to join a judo club outside of the course. Learning how to fall and utilising someone else's strengths to your benefit is a key element to rugby. Couple this with the focus on core skills and techniques throughout the week and even the highest level of player cannot fail to improve on a Tigers course."
A few places are still available on the next two courses
There are a few remaining places on the courses at Newark RFC & Melton RFC running from Tuesday May 29 - Friday June 1, priced at £120 for the four days.
To book or to find out more about the Leicester Tigers Rugby Courses, visit the Tigers website at www.leicestertigers.com/rugbycourses or contact the community department on 0116 2171221.
