A BLUE BULLS MASTER CLASS
The UXi Harlequins International Rugby Institute is the FIRST in South Africa to become an accredited Blue Bulls Rugby Institute.
The regulation of academies and or institutes has become critically important to ensure that players and parents/sponsors receive the services that the academy sells to them and to ensure that players receive the quality development and education required for their futures.
The question always arises of what differentiates a good academy from a great or better one. Parents and sponsors have increasingly limited funds for sport development and education. Education is truly the only guarantee that any player can take away from an Academy or Institute year, as no one can guarantee a player a professional contract locally or abroad. The highest level of competition that a player may achieve depends greatly on the player’s own ability, dedication, commitment, and sacrifice. Initially, without having worked with a player in a high-performance rugby development program or in a class for a few months, can no one accurately determine what a player’s ability and future holds.
A player must be of an exceptional standard with creditable CV, play record, references and carry at least 2 caps from a professional national side in South Africa. Most 2nd and 3rd tier clubs in the world will only offer partial contracts that will not necessarily cover all living expenses. And it is for this reason that education becomes extremely important to pursue with the athletic development program that an institute or academy offers.
Having a qualification in hand can assist a player to also find job opportunities abroad. If going abroad or even emigrating is an option for a player, then it is also important to look at education that is recognized internationally.
Here are some helpful criteria points for players and parents to look out for when assessing different institutions and to assist them with their decision making and investment choice, as provided by the Blue Bulls rugby union.
STAFF
- The Institute or Academy must have a full time Academy/Institute manager with exceptional operations and management experience and academic qualification
- The Institute or Academy must also display a highly qualified and experienced full time Head Coach and Strength and Conditioning Coach.
- All coaches must have a World Rugby Level 2 coaching certificate as well as a World Rugby level 2 referee certificate.
- The ratio of coach to players should be 1:15
- All coaches and trainers must be BOKSMART certified as well as World Rugby Covid 19 awareness for coaches and players.
- All coaches coaching children must have completed the World Rugby coaching children session as well as have valid SAP clearance certificate in respect of Criminal Law; (Sexual offences and related cases) Amendment Act nr 32 of 2007
PLAYERS
- Must have a minimum of 30 full time registered players
- Preference must be provided for players of colour
- Players in the rugby program should be younger than 23 years
- Players must be medically screened before enrolment, the program commences or in a rehabilitation program
EDUCATION
- Players must be given the opportunity to study
- Players must be given the opportunity to do World Rugby Coaching. Referee and Strength and Conditioning course presented by World Rugby Educators
- Players must also be given the opportunity to do SA Rugby Clubwise training
- Players must all complete the Boksmart course
- All players must attend a training session with South African Institute for Drug Free Sport
- All players must complete the World Rugby Covid-19 Awareness for coaches and players online
- An accredited and recognized Life Skills program must be followed
- Players must be given the opportunity to coach at school level under the guidance of the Union
- Well recorded and regular mentorship sessions with each player must be conducted
TRAINING FACILITIES
- Daily access to a well-equipped gym, equipped to be rugby specific and be on acceptable standard
- Daily access to a quality rugby field
- Offices for staff
- Team Room/lectures rooms/technical room
- Lecture room- data projector, projector screen, sound whiteboard. Flipchart
- Students must have access to the internet, WI-FI, printing computer lab/laptop or tablet.
MEDICAL SERVICES
- Immediate access to a doctor
- Daily treatment available from Physiotherapist and Biokinetist
- Nutritionist for consultation
EQUIPMENT
- Rugby Conditioning equipment that are of a high standard
- Sufficient rugby balls, tackling bags, shields and scrum machine (Slalom poles/cones)
- Video and Game analysis programme for technical assistance and support
RUGBY ACADEMY/INSTITUTE PROGRAMME
- The content of the programme should be in line with World Rugby, SARU and Union approved
- There should be a clear planning and curriculum offering over the year
- The seasonal planning, weekly ad daily planning, should always be available
- Training schedules (annual, monthly, weekly and daily) should be presented to the Union
- Students must have access to the training schedules
ADMINISTRATION AND FEES
- Administration documents must be on high standard
- Regular financial reporting to a Union is required
- Progress reports on players must be provided to players and parents
- Financial reporting and financial management according to good corporate governance regulations
- Audited Financial statements presented
- Third-party insurance should be in place
- Policies, regulations, disclaimers, emergency plans (HSOP) and Tax clearance certificate presented
- The Institute/Academy must present a business and strategic plan to stakeholders
- Legally binding contracts with players/parents
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Do your homework and investigation on an Institute/Academy and ask for accreditation statuses of all their programmes on offer;
- Request information on the qualification and experience levels of the Coaching Team
- Accredited Institutes/Academies will offer education support on site with education coordinators that will be able to assist with academic enquiries.
- Remember that Institutes/Academies should not be focused on their TEAMs to win a competition, but their key role is to develop every player-athlete to his/her highest level of competition.
- An institute or academy that has a team of dedicated coaches and support staff will focus on the INDIVIDUAL PLAYER first and foremost in a sport science based program
- Coaching teams in High Performance development programmes will have the ability to bring out the best in every player regardless of their level of experience or background
WHAT MAKES THE UXI SPORT RUGBY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS DIFFERENT?
UXi International Rugby Institutes aim to develop athletes at a high level setting sustainable development goals, and to address gender equality in rugby. Almost 48% of its applicants for the international level high performance rugby program, have never been exposed to a physical education programme. For many players from previously disadvantaged communities fundamental movement skills that involve critical motor skills were never taught at a younger age.
Through UXi’s Strength and Conditioning career rugby program the Institute will be able to educate a new generation of sports specific coaches who can in turn educate young athletes and coach parents on the importance of physical activity. For UXi Sport it is not only about training and competition it has a mission to build world cup level sport coaches for the future, to inspire greatness in all its athlete-students.
UXi also employs a national team of sport scientists, rugby directors, highly qualified strength and conditioning coaches, video and game analysts, life skills coaches who function within faculties or departments. These managers drive the program in their respective areas of expertise nationally to ensure quality, consistency and ensure a national/international standard.
UXi Sport functions like a Private Education Institution and is also registered and accredited with the QCTO in South Africa.
Resources:
- BBRU regulation in regard to accreditation of Academies
- World Rugby
