Ulster Rugby player Neil McComb tackles new role as Rugby Academy Ambassador
Second Row Neil McComb announced as first Ambassador of NI’s new rugby academy
Northern Ireland’s new rugby academy has announced Ulster Rugby Second Row, Neil McComb, as its first ever Ambassador.
The Belfast Met Rugby Academy offers talented Under 18’s a unique full-time pathway to senior rugby. Launched in June 2013, it combines academic study and athletic training, with students concentrating on strength and conditioning, playing technique and tactical game understanding.
Neil McComb took a non-traditional route to his professional sports career by focusing primarily on university following representing Ulster and Ireland at Schools, Under 18, Under 19 and Under 21 level. Upon return to Northern Ireland after gaining his degree, Neil had a breakthrough season with Ulster in 2009 and moved from a development to a full-time contract with the team.
Neil’s focus on education throughout his rugby career made him the ideal candidate for the Belfast Met Rugby Academy’s Ambassador role, as the players in the Academy follow a structured coaching and academic curriculum while working toward their Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport (Performance and Excellence).
As the Academy’s new Ambassador, Neil will hold tailored workshops and coaching sessions for the players and provide guidance and direction on becoming a professional level player, based on his own experience and development pathway.
The Belfast Met Rugby Academy is formed of 30 individually selected players aged 16 to 18 and focuses on the academic and athletic development of these up and coming sportsmen. Screening for the Academy took place over the summer with 60 candidates going through fierce competition to select the highest standards of player.
Marie-Thérèse McGivern, Principal and Chief Executive of Belfast Met, welcomed Neil to the Academy:
“After around 18 months of planning, it is fantastic to see the Belfast Met Rugby Academy welcome its first students into this training programme. We are dedicated to playing an important role in providing a high quality educational environment for our learners and the structured curriculum offered in our Rugby Academy is a fantastic development opportunity for our future athletes.
“We are truly delighted to welcome Neil as the Rugby Academy’s first ever Ambassador. We believe that he will be a real inspiration for our learners as he shows that there are a number of different routes to a successful professional career in rugby when you focus on education, hard work and talent development.”
Neil McComb, Ulster Rugby Second Row and Ambassador for the Belfast Met Rugby Academy, continued:
“I am thrilled to support the Belfast Met Rugby Academy and its talented players. It is clear to see there is much potential in these young athletes so I am looking forward to motivating and encouraging each of the students as they progress both on the pitch and in the classroom. The Academy provides a great opportunity for these young players to understand and progress their talent and skills, ensuring they develop to their maximum potential.”
The Belfast Met Rugby Academy develops student players while following a rigorous academic programme that focuses on a range of practical and theoretical units including Sports Psychology, Sports Nutrition, Physiology of Fitness, Leadership and Sports Performance Analysis.
The aim of the Academy is to provide a development and support pathway for potentially elite players to progress from grassroots rugby to professional contracts or athletic scholarships. It is hoped that the talented young players will go on to play club rugby at the highest levels and gain international honours.
This alternative development route for players will complement the established youth pathway currently offered by Ulster Rugby. A number of the Academy players have already taken part in Irish Youth Trials and are on the Ulster Youth talent pathway.
Allen Clarke, Elite Peformance Development Manager, Ulster Rugby, said:
“Academic learning as part of an athletic programme can have an enormous positive impact on young players and greatly help with their future career prospects. It is a great advantage for these players to take what they have learnt in the classroom onto the pitch as they will have a greater understanding of not only the game of rugby, but how they play as an individual and as part of a team.
“Programmes like the Belfast Met Rugby Academy will help to produce well-rounded athletes with both academic and physical prowess, leadership skills and the ability to problem solve and think strategically. All of these proficiencies are vital requirements of every professional rugby player and skills that each Ulster Rugby professional player possesses.”
Students in the Academy benefit from experienced coaching over the two year course, training six days a week and competing in biweekly matches against School’s Cup level opposition. The course also includes individual skills and techniques training, weekly video analysis and recovery times sessions, with theory work being undertaken in the classroom or as part of practical sessions on the pitch and in strength and conditioning facilities.
The Academy currently trains at Belfast Met’s Castlereagh Campus, the Robinson Centre, Cregagh Community Centre and Malone Rugby Club.
The Belfast Met Rugby Academy will play its next match against Foyle and Londonderry College on Saturday 2 November.
