Rugby international puts something back with school camps

A former IRB Sevens World Series player is putting something back into the game in school camps for youngsters. 

Chad Tuoro was a member of the New Zealand Seven’s team in 2008 and 2009 and competed in the 2009 Rugby Sevens World Cup as well as two IRB Sevens World Series

The rugby camps were held over Anzac week at College Rifles rugby grounds for kids aged 7 – 13 years of age. 

 The camps were under the aegis of  the Twin Training Rugby Academy and were aimed at developing basic skills through constant repetition and game time.  

  “There are three coaching clocks during the day,”  Tuoro said 

 “The boys play in age groups “We focus on three main areas of tackling, handling, and evasion (changing direction, attack the space). 

“Repetition is key. 

 “Younger kids have a short attention span. So, it must be repetition, repetition, repetition.. 

 The camp kicks off with a 9am drop off. It begins with a one hour hands-on coaching session broken down into four blocks of 15 minutes. Morning tea. Back into another one hour coaching session. Lunch, and the afternoon is spent in game time.  

 Tuoro said they taught the children  evasion for attack.  

“We want the kid to run into a space and not into your opponent. 

 “The coaches had a workshop on Sunday to develop their training skills, most are university students looking for holiday jobs.” 

 Academy coach, Connor Burns has been part of the holiday programmes for a couple of years. He loves the game of rugby.  

 “I coach both rugby and rowing. The rowing season has finished so it’s all focus on rugby,” Burns said.   

 “I coach little one’s in minor leagues but with this academy it is a paying holiday job. 

  Academy coach, Jack Cutler taught passing in this week’s camp. 

 Cutler’s module involved a pop, pop, spiral, spiral, pop, pop. 

 “A ‘pop’ is a short pass, straight out and fast. 

 “A ‘spiral’ is shot from the hip, longer pass more powerful, pass with time,” Cutler said . 

 Academy coach, Alex Matapo held Mindfield. 

 “Mindfield gets them thinking and focused, using their memory,” Matapo said. 

 Daughter of Alex, Ashley Matapo was the only girl at the camp but she held herself strong against her male counterparts. 

 “I like the camp, it is fun,” Ashley said. 

 “I am the only girl in my team back home and it doesn’t bother me. 

 “My Aunty plays for Waikato, she’s my idol. 

 Aunty Jelly is Angelica Matapo who plays for  Waikato. 

 Twin Training Rugby Academy was developed by twin brothers, Chad and Jared Tuoro.  

 They utilize their international rugby experiences with their love for the game to provide a fun -filled, kid- friendly rugby atmosphere. Both brothers are employees of New Zealand Rugby. 

 Chad Tuoro was a member of the New Zealand Seven’s team in 2008 and 2009. Chad played in the 2009 Rugby Sevens World Cup and two IRB Sevens World Series, including tournaments in Hong Kong, Australia, America and United Kingdom. 

 Jared Tuoro represented Auckland in the NPC. Jared’s rugby playing ambitions were dashed by injury and his focus turned to coaching soon after. 

 Jared has been assistant coach of the Scottish Women’s rugby team and is currently working for the New Zealand Rugby as Coach Development Manager.