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Centurions Future Leaders programme

Centurions Future Leaders programme

Carl Mauger21 Nov 2018 - 13:01
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Centurions Future Leaders programme at Twickenham Stadium

On Thursday 25 and Friday 26 October , 30-40 boys and girls from Bracknell RFC U13’s and U12’s attended the inaugural Centurions Future Leaders programme at Twickenham Stadium together with boys and girls from other rugby clubs from within the area. A total of 100 attended to match the 100 caps Centurions players.

The Centurions are a group of iconic rugby internationals who have been awarded 100 caps or more.

John Smit, the former South Africa World Cup winning captain heads the group of Centurions running the programme.

It is built on the premise that there is a leader within us all. Whether a child is shy or outgoing, technical or creative, Centurions believes each and every one of them has the capacity to be a leader. Sport and in particular, rugby is a superb way to discover the potential in a safe fun and healthy way.

It was a bright but chilly morning when the boys arrived at Twickenham, the home of England rugby, looking very smart in their Bracknell kit. After registration and being presented with a Centurions training top which coincidentally is in Bracknell colours, the boys were split into teams of 6 or 7.

The programme began with the boys running out of the players tunnel in two lines either side of John Smit, who was standing at the edge of the pitch and high 5’ing him as they ran out onto the hallowed turf.

They were then split into their teams and spent the next couple of days doing a series of drills on the training pitch adjacent to the stadium and various classrooms tests that encouraged their creativity and working as a team. At the end of the two days a team made up of 5 Bracknell U13’s players ended up winners of the classroom tests and were awarded a tray of doughnuts for their efforts!

The winning team included Jamie Lovell, Ollie Anderson. Geoffrey Manners, Will Smithen, James Hutchings and two boys from another rugby club.

It will be interesting to see in a few years how many of our Bracknell boys become Centurions themselves.

A few days later footage of the days at Twickenham was aired on the Sky Sports Action Channel.

Part Two of The Centurions Bronze Award is taking place from Tuesday28th - Thursday 30th May 2019 for just £149 and already many of the Bracknell boys have signed up again to complete the course. Once again it will be held at Twickenham. For more information go to www.centurionfutureleaders.com .

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