iafrica.com’s Rob Peters spoke to Springbok assistant coach Dick Muir about the Investec International Rugby Academy, preparing players/coaches for the professional game and what he hopes to achieve with the local franchise of the Academy.

A former Springbok centre, and now successful coach, Bok assistant coach Dick Muir is looking to impart the knowledge he has gained through first-hand experience onto the next crop of professionals — coaches and players.

The International Academy was started by former All Black Murray Mexted in New Zealand, and the South African version is a franchise of the Academy based in Palmerston North. There is another academy based in the United States.

The Academy runs three levels of courses, 14 per year, with the flagship being the High Performance Course, which is ideally for players and coaches looking to pursue professional careers in rugby.

The Academy attracts more than just local coaches as well with seven foreign coaches acting as facilitators at the last course, and a number of participants coming from abroad as well. Muir, meanwhile, expects the foreign contingent to grow.

“There is a large interaction from around the world,” says Muir.

“The Academy is open to all coaches globally and over time we should be looking at around 20-30 percent of the participants being international,” says Muir.

With the Academy offering a variety of courses, it means you do not have to be on the verge of Super 14 stewardship to attend.

“We offer three courses,” reveals Muir.

“The entry level for junior school players and coaches; Advanced for High School; and the High Performance for aspiring professionals.”

With no more than 15 coaches and 30 players taking part in the courses, participants are assured of personalised instruction, which considering who it is coming from will be invaluable as they look to improve. And judging by the response to the courses — all of which have been full — clearly they are worthwhile.

“Our coaching structures are dwindling in South Africa,” reveals Muir.

“This is a platform to create awareness amongst coaches and for them to improve. It also ensures they stay in touch with the latest methods — not just locally — but globally.”

One of the biggest draws for the Academy is that it goes beyond what happens out on the field. Participants gain knowledge on the inner-workings of rugby as a career, while players can glean all the information necessary for a successful life in rugby.

“The concept is a platform to share knowledge,” reveals Muir.

“We aim to equip the participants with all the knowledge necessary to pursue rugby as a professional career. The course offers every aspect of this: from how to handle the media and managing a relationship with an agent, to tactics and how to tackle.

“As an ex-player, I only wish I had access to this kind of information. When I was with the Sharks I attended the international academy and after seeing what was on offer I wanted to bring it back home to South Africa.”

“It is something I am very passionate about.”


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