Army rugby gets smart for future
Volume 11, No. 40, April 6, 2006

By Cpl Andrew Hetherington

Future AARU Regional Camps Townsville, Lavarack Barracks, April 8-9. Brisbane, Enoggera Barracks, April 28-29. Canberra, RMC, May 21.

ARMY rugby union players are being encouraged to complete a Smart Rugby course to enable safer play.
An OH&S course introduced by the Australian Rugby Union (ARU), the Smart Rugby program, will allow the game to be enjoyed by all participants so it can be played more safely.

The high-performance manager of the Australian Army Rugby Union (AARU), Col Don Freeman said the DCA Maj-Gen Ian Gordon had decreed that all coaches within Army rugby were to be ARU qualified and Smart Rugby compliant.

Col Feeman said AARU’s commitment to Smart Rugby, the development of the game across Army and the development of individual players would ensure that Army players and teams were well prepared and would maintain their competitiveness on the field.

“More importantly it will ensure our viability into the future,” he said.
“It is strongly recommended that all players, managers and others associated with Army rugby become Smart Rugby trained and be current in these skills.

“Across the Army we have many players who are new to the game and certainly many inexperienced ones. However, the most experienced player and coach can improve their skills and performance and should always be looking to do so.”

The Smart Rugby course is incorporated into the AARU Regional Development and Selection Camp initiative. These camps are held over two days and Col Freeman said it covered many different aspects of rugby.

“The first day of the course is run by Duncan Hall, a former dual Australian rugby union and rugby league international player, and concentrates on covering areas such as scrummaging, tackling, elimination of foul play, overall safety and injury prevention and management.”

Players also undertake a specific speed and agility program aimed at improving individual and collective skills.
On day two, participants demonstrate and exercise new skills under match conditions, under the guidance of an AARU development or coaching representative.

For further details contact your rugby union representative, or visit www.rugby.com.au/community_rugby/
smartrugby_program,40053.html or www.armyrugby.org.au