Under 20 players from South Africa and Australia inspired more
than 100 stars of the future when they held a coaching clinic on
one of the grounds at the Club Atletico Estudiantes in Parana.
Staged as part of the IRB Junior World Championship legacy
programme, which aims to help develop the sport at grass roots
level in the host country, the players spent around three hours
with the 12 to 14-year-old students, covering everything from basic
ball skills through to team drills.
South Africa hooker Francois du Toit, Australian wing Dominic
Shipperley and teammate Cameron Mitchell were among those who gave
their time to the initiative.
Eric Sauls, the South Africa coach, said the legacy programme
was a great way to spread the sport's values, particularly
across countries where rugby was not the number one sport.
"It is really important for South Africa to leave a
legacy," explained Sauls. "In our country this game is
taught from a very early age in the schools and then it becomes
competitive."
An opinion echoed by one of the children Juan Mendez, who
said he had learnt a lot from the experience.
"The way they trained us, with their tactics and
knowledge, made the practice a very good one. Tomorrow I'll say
to my classmates that we were trained by Junior World Championship
players ... but they won't believe me."
At least five players and management from each of the 12
teams participating in the Junior World Championship will attend
legacy events with further clinics planned for each of the host
cities of Rosario, Santa Fe and Parana.
The next legacy day takes place on 10 June.
