50 players attend Leinster Rugby School of Excellence camp in Syracuse, NY
Updated: Aug 7, 2022
50 high school and college boys and girls participated in the Leinster Rugby School of Excellence camp at Syracuse University hosted by CNY Youth Rugby
Led by coaches Nigel Osborne, Ntinga Mpiko and Kevin O'Connor (pictured above from R to L), the players worked on improving individual skills, fitness, game awareness and more. Highlights included a video analysis session of Ireland's recent series win over New Zealand, a press-up competition between the coaches (won by Coach Kevin) and some spirited games played on days two and three of the camp.
After sending players to the Leinster Rugby “Rugby and French” camp led by Coach Osborne in Biarritz, France, it became a goal of CNY Youth Rugby to bring that same type of skills development and philosophy to rugby programs in New York.
"CNY Rugby was excited to partner with Nigel and the Leinster Rugby Academy for the first ever Leinster School of Excellence clinic in the USA. Leinster is one of the best clubs in the world and focuses on a high skill brand of rugby." said CNY Rugby Director of High School Rugby Gabe Nugent.
"It was amazing to see how well the players took to the instruction. By day two they were playing a flowing game of rugby, moving the ball quickly, putting each other into space and using the width of the field. It was beautiful to watch. We look forward to partnering with Nigel and Leinster next year on an expanded camp." Nugent added.
Plans are already underway for another camp next summer and on how to improve and expand the program to reach a larger audience of players in New York. A full album of pictures from the camp is available on our Facebook page and photos are also available for purchase from camp photographer Potted Palm Productions.
To learn more about the Leinster Rugby Academy, visit them on the web at www.rugbyacademy.us or email them at leinster@rugbyacademy.us
RugbyNY is the governing body for youth and high school rugby in the state of New York. They are a member of USA Youth & High School Rugby's Northeast region and are an officially recognized State Youth Rugby Organization (SYRO) by USA Rugby. RugbyNY is registered with the New York State Department of State as a not-for-profit corporation and is recognized by the IRS as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization.