On Saturday (26th May) Chester Rugby Club played host to the USA rugby sevens team in an event organised by The Athlete Factory and AFYA Sports Training.
Rugby is rapidly growing in popularity in the USA, and the team boasts some major stars on the rugby sevens circuit including Carlin Isles, who is currently the fastest sevens player in the world.
The squad is currently in the UK making preparations for the HSBC Sevens World Series taking place in London early next month.
The event in Chester allowed young rugby players to not only meet the USA players, but also to take part in a series of rugby skills and development sessions with the international athletes.
Junior rugby players from all over Cheshire and further afield were invited to attend, with over 150 youngsters from Cheshire, North Wales and Manchester participating on the day.
Parent and Under 10s coach from Wilmslow Rugby Club, Marcus Uprichard said: “This event was brilliantly run and the kids learnt an awful lot in just three hours.
“We will be taking away some really engaging coaching techniques to use in our Under 11s training from September.”
Stations were manned by AFYA Sports Training, The Athlete Factory, the Royal Marines, the Army and guest coaches including Rugby League’s Martin Gleeson and British Lions’ Andy Titterrell.
Also in attendance were Harris & Ross sports physiotherapy specialists, who organised dynamic stretching sessions for players on the day as well as offering personalised screenings and sports massages to children, players and parents.
Attendee Toby Archer enthused: “It was a really fun event, I learnt a lot. The main thing in rugby is to have fun with your friends. It was really exciting to meet professional players too.”
AFYA Sports Training founder, Ben Woods added: “A big thanks to the USA sevens team for taking the time to work with these players of the future.
“Needless to say, 150 kids left feeling really inspired and that is our main motivation – helping children see their potential through sport.”
AFYA & The Athlete Factory will be following up the event with a workshop for 13-17 year old players who want to develop their game to professional standards.
