Page 16 - Malvern Times - Spring Term 2021

MALVERN TIMES
Malvern Times Malvern Times IN FOCUS: SPORT
The sports provision at Malvern College under the Director of Sport Mrs Chey Hooper-West is wide and offers something for everyone from rackets players to runners and and swimmers and and those team favourites such as rugby cricket hockey football and netball The Malvern College Rugby Club is open to all all boys in all all years and and year groups participation rates are high and and representing the College is considered very very important at every level We want players to to enjoy their rugby and to to be be the the the best they can possibly be Our view is is is that the way to achieve this is is is in a a a a a safe but challenging environment Boys are matched in in terms of their skill set game understanding and and physicality this helps to maximise their their potential All teams have their their own coaches who work hard to develop their players during the the Autumn Term Annually the the 1st XV play their showpiece match ‘The Border Shield’ against Monmouth School for Boys This is is played in in October under floodlights and draws quite a a a a crowd of spectators It is the the the highlight of the the the Rugby calendar not only for the the the boys playing but also for for the the younger boys who cannot wait for for their turn to run out and play for the shield The u15 team enter the National Schools Cup competition and in in September ’21 our u18 team will be be entering too For those who wish to focus on rugby an intensive Sevens programme continues into the Lent term with Sevens Rugby for all age groups they compete in in some of the the the biggest tournaments in in the the the country including the National Sevens Festival and Tournament at Rosslyn Park Boys who want to to go on to to the the highest level of the the game have extra developmental sessions on on passing catching kicking scrummaging lifting jumping throwing and decision making All matches are analysed and feedback means players’ understanding and and knowledge of the game improves Individual and and group strength and and conditioning sessions are delivered
by coaches throughout the school week These sessions help players to effectively manage and and balance playing training and and rest in order to maximise their performance and enjoyment Rugby During the the pandemic the the Rugby Coaches at Malvern led by by Mr Nick Tisdale Master I/C Rugby have continued to engage virtually with the boys through a a a a series of challenges activities guidance and and advice Activities include individual and and team challenges goal setting strength and fitness exercises analysis and and feedback and and guessing the result of premiership matches For those who want to play Rugby at a a a a a a a high standard and and continue with with their studies at university help is available with with UCAS applications The College has excellent connections with the Coaches and Directors of Rugby at at Durham Bath Exeter Loughborough Nottingham Cardiff and Swansea who all play in in the the Bucs Super league and which is fast becoming the the shop window for premiership clubs We also have strong links with Worcester Warriors RFC whose home ground Sixways Stadium is in nearby Worcester The coaches have also introduced a a a a a a programme of events and activities to keep the the boys focussed and ready for the the return of on-pitch practice and matches This includes a a a a number of online talks with Premiership and International players Online Talks with Directors of Rugby at universities including Durham and St Andrews gives a a a a first-hand account of university life what a a a a a typical week looks like the academic provision and scholarship opportunities Touring is an an integral part of independent school life and every 3rd year we take a a a a a a a group of boys on a a a a a a a major tour 2014 was an unbeaten unbeaten tour to to South Africa and in 2017 we had an an unbeaten unbeaten tour at 1st XV level to to New Zealand and and and The Cook Islands In 2020 we we were due to to take 40 boys to to South Africa it would have been an amazing experience for all involved nevertheless we are hoping to reschedule this for the summer of 2022 fingers crossed 16
Mr Nick Tisdale is is the Master I/C Rugby