National Secondary Schools Rugby League Tournament 2011

PRESS RELEASE

National Secondary Schools Rugby League Tournament Coaching Clinics Offer Guidance To Players

Auckland, New Zealand August 23, 2011 - The second day of the National Secondary Schools Rugby League tournament at Bruce Pulman Park, Papakura kicked off at the earlier time of 10am. All sixteen teams played their second round games in the morning, with the afternoon set aside for coaching clinics.

During breaks in the games the crowd heard from a number of speakers including a representative from the NZ Police who spoke about policing as a career, Marc Harris NZRL Referees Manager encouraging people to become Match Officials, and Vic Tamati from ‘It’s Not OK!’ who shared an anti violence message. Tania from Drug Free Sport invited all the players to visit the Drug Free Sport tent at the ground to sign the drug free pledge and the wall, which members of the Vodafone Warriors had done on Monday.

Match Officials have come from around the country to officiate at the tournament, and while there they’re completing a number of workshops to share knowledge and best practice.

Match Official AJ Purnell, from the Bay of Plenty said “Having the chance to learn from test referees like Leon Williamson and Auckland Referees Manager John McKeown is invaluable. The tournament is really well run, it’s a great format, the players and the football being played are fantastic, so disciplined and real quality. Having match managers and proper crowd control and everything, you can really see that it’s more than just a game.”

After lunch the tournament players took part in position-specific coaching clinics with a number of Kiwis.

Stacey Jones talked to the players about the nature of their position then with the assistance of Tony Kemp ran skills sessions with them. A group worked with Richie Barnett, who stressed the importance of communication in their role and had the players run backline drills to test and improve theirs.

Logan Swann talked to his group about fitness, reminding them about the increasing speed of the game, and outlining ways they might improve their own before getting them up and moving.

Monty Betham had his hookers up and talking as well as running, while Jerry Seuseu and Ruben Wiki shared a group and had them run through two different sets of drills.

Jerome Ropati took his players through some tackling techniques designed to cope with players who can step and players who can pass.

Once again the great weather and excellent facilities played their part in contributing to a very successful second day of the tournament.

This evening selected players from each school will complete a Leadership Programme then take what they’ve learnt to a number of local primary schools at the end of play tomorrow.

Round Three kicks off at 10am Wednesday.

Day Two Results:

Tokoroa High School 25 v Southern Cross College 24
Half Time 12 - 12

Rangitoto College 0 v Tangaroa College 50
Half Time 0 - 30

Fraser High School 8 v St Paul's College 56
Half Time 0 - 30

Papatoetoe High School 22 v Manurewa High School 40
Half Time 10 - 18

Otahuhu College 12 v Papakura High School 8
Half Time 12 - 0

Aranui High School 16 v Mt Roskill Grammar 36
Half Time 12 - 12

Aorere College 46 v St John's College 10
Half Time 24 - 0

Wainuiomata High School 14 v Mt Albert Grammar 22
Half Time 4 - 12

Please note that there have been changes to the finals timetable as below-

Bowl final @ 9.45am (plus 2 others)
Plate final @ 11.00am (plus 2 others)
Cup Final @ 11.30am
Championship Final @ 12.45pm

For all tournament details please visit the website here http://www.nzrl.co.nz/national-secondary-schools.aspx.

ENDS