Rugby Schoolboys dream large
[ The University of Melbourne Voice Vol. 3, No. 9
10 November - 8 December 2008 ] By Rod Warnecke
The sun shone brightly on the inaugural Melbourne University Rugby Academy (MURA) coaching clinic held in early October.
A large number of rugby schoolboys from around Victoria descended on campus to participate in the clinic led by former Wallabies Matt Cockbain, Dave Fitter – a current biomedicine student at the University – and other coaches including Melbourne Rebel Luke Cross, Ricky Dumigan and Adam Nicholson.
The Academy, an initiative of the Melbourne University Rugby Football Club (MURFC), has been established to attract prospective students to the University and the rugby club.
MURFC Club President Simon Davis says schoolboy rugby in Victorian has grown significantly over the past few years.
“However the retention rate from schools to senior clubs is very low. Our goals are to increase the retention rate and assist the development of high quality community rugby in Victoria through the Academy program, Peter Hone Scholarship Fund and other initiatives.”
Davis reports players “thoroughly enjoyed the session and were very impressed by the facilities on campus”.
“This coaching clinic is the first in a series of sessions to be held during the off-season. Longer term, the goals of the Academy are to develop coaching camps during school holidays and regular clinics throughout the year as well as host rugby schools’/universities’ sides from overseas including Japan, China and North America where rugby union is very popular.
Melbourne-born and bred Wallaby Dave Fitter says it has been exciting to be part of the initiative. “The players are now part of something special and we would like to assist them to advance their rugby/academic pathways further.”
In 2008 MURFC celebrated its Centenary in grand style with the Colts side winning the Premiership for the first time in 20 years. Next year the club is planning to host a game against the powerful Sydney University Football Club side on the main University of Melbourne Oval to commemorate 100 years of the first game between the two clubs.
For further information on the Academy and other details about the club please visit www.melbourneunirugby.com
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