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Here is a bit of a summary as to the proposed Junior Gold Cup
1.0 Summary
Rugby Union faces increasing challenge from the work of other sports and the decrease in athletic pursuits of our youth demographic to recruit and retain a pool of players in the 14-19 year age group that can effectively contribute to the health of the game at participation and high performance levels. Rugby is fortunate in that it possesses a varied competition and representative system as well as advanced talent development programs coordinated nationally across the country. Many key stakeholders, both volunteer and employed, work hard to build and develop opportunities for our young players to play the game and progress to higher levels of performance. At times the current representative and talent development pathway can be confusing to players and parents as well as requiring considerable financial investment by the player/families in order to be involved at the various levels and options available.
In these challenging times, it is proposed that a new and innovative model that combines representative level rugby and talent development programming for players U15-17 be developed by the group of key stakeholders and lead by the Australian Rugby Union. The proposed model combines current national talent development programs (Junior Gold Program) and various junior rugby representative programs to create a high level development and competition model at U15 and U17 age grade level for selected metropolitan, regional and state based team involvement. It is envisaged that this ‘partnership’ approach by all key stakeholders will enable Rugby to meet the challenges currently faced and move ahead in developing the game and the player via the one united strategy.
1.1 Aim
To develop a national model of talent development and representative programs and events that evolves the current pathway, aligns programs and organisations and creates quality and attractive Rugby options for talented young players.
1.2 Objectives
To align and combine talent development and representative programs across the country and stakeholders to create a quality, attractive and sustainable initiative
To reduce the large financial costs and time commitments faced by youth players in the current player pathway
To increase the access of a larger pool of players and coaches to high level national talent development and representative rugby program opportunities
To recruit and retain rugby players at the U15-17 year age group
To select players with the attributes and development potential to progress to higher levels of rugby
To build opportunities and the capacity of coaches, referees and other management
3.1 JUNIOR Gold Cup – U15 & U17 National Talent Development & Competition Model
By drawing together the Junior Gold Program currently operating across Australia and various Junior Rugby representative programs it is possible to combine a major talent development program with a representative competition to achieve many of the key outcomes listed earlier in this paper. The JUNIOR Gold Cup model would be conducted from November through to the first weeks of April, constituting off and pre-season periods and concluding prior to the commencement of Junior and School Rugby seasons
3.1.1 What?
The model involves selected U15 and U17 talent squads across twenty four teams throughout Australia competing for respective JUNIOR Gold Cups. A match program involving a minimum of five quality competition pool games and 1-2 finals games would be conducted at the end of the program period (ie late February/March/early April).
3.1.2 Who?
The program would predominantly run November (U17)/December (U15) through to the first weeks of April with trials for the respective squads to be conducted prior to the November start of the program. Various squad trials could use existing programs to base squad selection
Teams from the more remote/large regions (Northern Queensland, Central Queensland, and Northern Inland NSW) and Western Australia and Victoria would play all, or a majority of their Cup pool matches over weekends or in the case of WA within a 10-12 day period (tour).
Progressive entry programs would be designed and implemented for other regions/states such as NT and Tasmania to enable future inclusion in the competition. Match schedules would form part of the progressive entry program.
3.1.5 Cost
Re-directing Current ARU Budgets
The following program expenditure would be used to re-direct into funding the JUNIOR Gold Cup model:
1. National U16 Championships
o The National U16 Championships has been an important program and large investment over the past 12 years. The JUNIOR Gold Cup model would supersede the U16 Championships in many areas whilst providing other significant gains especially in the areas of player numbers (access and opportunity) and duration of involvement.
2. Junior Gold Program
o The program elements of the current Junior Gold Program (JGP) and corresponding budget would be re-directed in the JUNIOR Gold Cup model.
3. Junior Gold U15 High Performance Camp
o As above, the aims and objectives of the Junior Gold U15 High Performance Camp would be matched and superseded by the JUNIOR Gold Cup model
3.1.3 How?
Whilst the model is player centred, significant resources and programming would be developed for the following key groups:
1. Coaches (including S&C coaches) & Managers
- Coach and Manager Development programs including in-servicing, workshops, resources and face-to-face support
2. Referees
- Provide quality practical development opportunities as part of the ARU’s Referee Development program
The November to April program would enable player development across three key areas:
1. Skill and Match Performance
- Core Skill (Junior Gold Player curriculum)
- Position Specific Skill
- Game Understanding and Analysis
o Decision Making
o Tactical Appreciation & Application
The ARU HPU would lead the coaching and skill development program utilising the national skill development curriculum and Junior Gold Player as well as specific coach development work and ongoing coaching support. All coaches would attend compulsory coach in-services and updates.
2. Physical Development
- Long term athletic development
- Nutrition
- Recovery
The ARU HPU would lead the physical development program providing coaches with in-servicing ad support to deliver an international quality long term player development strength and conditioning model. All S&C coaches would attend compulsory in-services and updates.
3. Off-Field Development
- ‘Life Skills’
- Illicit Drugs in Sport Education
The ARU HPU would lead the design and delivery of key ‘Life Skills’ and Personal Development modules across all teams. All layers and team staff would attend compulsory personal development sessions.
The combined talent development and representative competition model would allow genuine development across the key areas listed above achieving quality efficiencies and development outcomes. Importantly, teams (and in particular coaches) would need to deliver programs that were not just about team play development in readiness for the Cup competition. Long term development models across skill, strength and conditioning and personal development would be central to the Cup model being a world leading player development and representative model for youth Rugby players. The ARU HPU would support the delivery of education and development across these three key areas. The off field development would rate as important as the skill and physical development aspects of the program.