Academy for elite

NRA TALENT: SMNET Dwight Shepherd.

The first five players have been selected to attend the Navy Rugby Academy (NRA) at HMAS Cerberus.

The academy, which was established by the RAN Rugby Union (RANRU) last year, welcomed the initial squad of LEUT Kylie Schulstad, ABBM Jordan Bradshaw, SMNMT Paul Coleman, SMNET Nicolas Stratford and SMNET Dwight Shepherd earlier this year.

Director of NRA LEUT Tyrone Douglas, congratulated the players and said only those identified as having the potential to play at the representative level, RANRU and possibly ASRU, would be selected for the NRA, but once established, the NRA will progressively expand to encompass players posted to all ships and establishments throughout the country.

“Participation in the NRA is open to both male and female players, and for the first year, a maximum of five players have been selected,” he said.

“Numbers have been restricted initially in order to prove the concept and to commence building a rugby development centre with an elite reputation.

“There will be no age restrictions imposed, however, the focus of the NRA will be on developing young talent and encouraging good training habits for the future.”

The squad has been training a minimum of five sessions a week during the off season with three weight sessions and two speed sessions and in addition they have done one skill session every two weeks in the off-season and two a week in the pre-season.

LEUT Douglas said the NRA squad will complete a training diary, with training monitored daily and performance goals measured monthly.
The academy is an extension of the Navy wide development program commenced in 2004 to develop individual rugby skills and improve personal preparedness.

The decision to base the academy at HMAS Cerberus was based on both its position as the main avenue of entry for RAN personnel, and the strength of the Cerberus Rugby Club.

The RANCCF has come onboard as sponsor and the squad will be identifiable in the distinctive training strip worn at all sessions.

The RANRU President, CDRE Bruce Kafer, will officially launch the NRA on February 24 at HMAS Cerberus.

“While the focus is on Rugby, the ultimate goal is to encourage Navy people to get involved in a team sport and to promote a healthy lifestyle,” CDRE Kafer said.

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