Wests Academy

The Wests Academy is our summer training program, led by our Pathway Academy for players aged 16 to Colts and supported by our Junior Academy for 12 to 15 year olds. It is led by our Premier Grade Head Coach Damo, Wallaby Matt Hodgson and Junior Director of Rugby Todd Lewis, supported by our Premier Grade men and women and Wests junior coaches. The aim is simple: develop better players, and better coaches, right across the club.

Develop. Compete. Enjoy.

Thanks to the generous support of a club supporter, this summer Pathway packages start from $130 with all field sessions included, Juniors pay just $55, and every player receives an Academy tee.

Open to all players, not just Wests. New to the club or playing elsewhere? You are welcome, so bring a mate.

Register now

Why the Academy

• Led by our Premier Grade coach and Junior Director of Rugby, with a session plan built for each age group.
• Supported by Premier Grade players and Wests junior coaches, so players learn from people who have played at the top level.
• Player pathways: a clear route from the Junior Academy to the Pathway Academy, Colts and senior rugby.
• Coaching pathways: our junior coaches work alongside senior coaches every session, building coaching depth across the club.
• Lots of ball, competitive games and rugby fitness. No laps, minimal queues, and every session finishes with rugby.

What’s new this year

We listened to feedback from last summer and rebuilt the Academy from the ground up.

• A new coaching team: led by our Premier Grade Head Coach Damo, Wallaby Matt Hodgson and Junior Director of Rugby Todd Lewis, with Premier Grade men and women on the field.
• A proper session plan: a structured 11 week program with a clear focus every week, building from core skills to game decisions.
• Two streams, built for each age: Pathway (16 to Colts) and Juniors (12 to 15) train with content and intensity that suits their stage.
• One focused session a week: quality over quantity, so it fits around school, work and summer sport.
• More rugby, less standing around: lots of ball, competitive games and rugby fitness. No laps and minimal queues.
• A specialist strength and conditioning partner for our Pathway players.
• Recognition: awards at the end of each block, and an Academy tee for every player.

Two streams: Pathway and Junior

Pathway Academy: 16 to Colts

Men and women. Around 50% skill development and 50% pressure, with more physical intensity, smaller spaces and harder decisions. Pathway players also complete a strength program with our strength and conditioning partner, AyFit Coaching.

Junior Academy: 12 to 15 years

Boys and girls together, led by past pro and Wallaby international Matt Hodgson and Wests Junior Director of Rugby Todd Lewis, alongside our junior coaches and Prem players. Around 70% skill and game development and 30% rugby pressure, with plenty of room to try things and make mistakes.

Our strength and conditioning partner

Pathway players train with Ayden at Aspire, Osborne Park, through the Bronze, Silver and Gold packages.

When and where

Both streams train at Luketina Reserve, under lights. One 90 minute session a week, 6.30pm to 8pm.

• Pathway Academy (16 to Colts): Mondays, 6.30pm to 8pm, led by our Premier Grade Head Coach Damo
  Block 1: Monday 2 November to Monday 14 December (7 sessions)
  Block 2: Monday 11 January to Monday 1 February (4 sessions)
• Junior Academy (12 to 15): Wednesdays, 6.30pm to 8pm, led by past pro and Wallaby international Matt Hodgson and Wests Junior Director of Rugby Todd Lewis
  Block 1: Wednesday 4 November to Wednesday 16 December (7 sessions)
  Block 2: Wednesday 13 January to Wednesday 3 February (4 sessions)
• Christmas break between blocks, finishing as preseason starts
• Pathway Gold gym sessions: Fridays, 5.30pm to 6.30pm at Aspire, Osborne Park

What a session looks like

• Arrival challenge, ball in hand straight away
• Movement and activation game
• Core skill: technique
• Core skill: under pressure
• Decision making in small number games
• Conditioning game: rugby fitness, no laps
• Academy game to put it all together
• Challenge and recap

The program

Block 1: Build the Player

• Catch, Pass and Play Fast
• Footwork, Evasion and Support
• Contact, Tackle and Breakdown
• Academy Challenge, with awards for Skill, Competitor, Team Player and Most Improved

Block 2: Develop the Player

• Scan, Decide, Execute
• Win the Collision, Win the Race
• Attack Together
• Academy Finals, with awards for Academy Player, Most Improved, Best Skills, Best Competitor and Team Player

Pricing

Option	Price	What’s included
Pathway Bronze (16 to Colts)	$130	All 11 field sessions and an Academy tee, plus an 8 week strength program in the AyFit Coaching app, with video demos and a Christmas plan
Pathway Silver	$200	Everything in Bronze, plus a technique session at Aspire and start and end testing
Pathway Gold	$350	Everything in Silver, plus 7 coached Friday gym sessions at Aspire, Osborne Park
Junior Academy (12 to 15)	$55	All 11 field sessions and an Academy tee

The Pathway gym program needs a minimum of 12 players to run. Optional body scans are available for $50.

How to register and pay

1. Complete the online registration form. It takes about two minutes and covers player details, stream and package, tee size, contacts and anything our coaches should know.
2. Pay by bank transfer to the Wests Scarborough Junior account. We will email you the account details. Please use the reference ACADEMY and the player’s surname (for example, ACADEMY SMITH).
3. We will confirm your place by email once your registration and payment are received.

Register now

Can’t use the form? Email juniors@westsscarboroughrugby.com.au and we will help.

Registrations close Friday 30 October.

Questions

Email juniors@westsscarboroughrugby.com.au and we will get back to you.