May 13th 2021
Future Premiership Stars
Over the last few years a number of our Old Moles have gone on to continue their rugby, not just at their senior schools, but also at Premiership clubs. Here, four of them tell us about their experiences and how they balance school with sport.
Mason Archer, Wellington College
Currently playing at the Under 18 London Irish Academy, and has represented Wales at under 16 level.
There are many stages to academy rugby, the key principle you must take with you no matter how far you go is your drive and determination to succeed and be the best player you can be, on and off the field. This means keeping up with your studies, and working hard on the field. You should always take a professional mindset whatever you do.
Balancing school and rugby can get quite tricky when you are training 4 times a week. The key I would say is to stay on top of your work. At the weekend or at school when you have free periods and you say to yourself that you are just going to relax for an hour – use this time to better prepare yourself for the coming weeks and months, whether that be doing some prep ahead of schedule, or going outside to work on specifics like tackling or kicking. Of course it is important to relax and rest well, but every extra bit of work you put in when you’re on free time, can better yourself on the field and in the classroom.
My favourite Moulsford rugby moment was winning Rosslyn Park in my final year. Although there was no official winner, playing Millfield felt like a final. We as a collective group of young lads were so tight knit that even before we stepped on that pitch for the final game against Millfield, we had the confidence in ourselves, and our teammates, to believe we would go on and win the game. In previous encounters with them it had been very back and forth, we would win one, then they would win one, but this time around, it was probably the best performance from an Under 13 rugby side I had ever witnessed, and it was a pleasure to be a part of it. I would go as far as saying that my year group arguably could have been the best Under 13 side in the country, that’s how special we were. All of this came about by training hard, and working hard off the field, carrying those disciplines that we were taught on the pitch, to the outside world, which ultimately led to all of us becoming not only better rugby players, but better men for it.
Monty Bradbury, Wellington College
Currently playing at the Under 18 London Irish Academy, whilst also having been involved in Under 23 and A league fixtures earlier this year. Recently signed a 3-year senior academy contract with London Irish, so he shall be in full time with them from July.
The academy process for me has been very beneficial for my rugby, and I have been very lucky to have the trust of coaches who have allowed me to play years above myself throughout the academy. This has enabled me to improve and progress, whilst also gaining very valuable experience along the way.
Balancing school and rugby for me has generally been okay, as in general I have only missed one or two nights a week of school for academy training. This has meant that I have had to work harder than my peers on numerous weekends and during my own ‘free time’, in order to catch up with work. Online lessons due to Covid have been a blessing in disguise for me, as it enabled me to effectively be in full time with London Irish from January to April this year, as all my lessons were recorded, and I could catch up on them in my own time.
My favourite rugby moments at Moulsford were either our 1st XV win against a much larger Caldicott team when I was in Year 7, due to us playing out of our skins as a team. When I was offered my London Irish contract I was told that they were at that Caldicott game and had me tagged as a future senior squad 10 even back then. Or alternatively, the Colts VII win of the Millfield tournament, which Mason and Will played in too.
Will Parry, Sherborne School
Currently playing at the Bath Rugby Under 18s Academy
Sherborne School have very close links with Bath so that has helped a huge amount in getting me into the academy. The academy process is extremely competitive as there is a feeling of always needing to compete for the place in the squad, whether that's training or playing in matches and it is a type of competitiveness I hadn't experienced before. Although it is very competitive, it is also very rewarding when the hard work pays off and you are selected. Something about the academy process that differs from school rugby is the level of detail that is identified by the coaches when it comes to the finer details and video analysis. Video analysis is something that has really helped me as it allows in depth reflections on areas I need to improve on, which helps with my growth. So far, I have really enjoyed the academy process and I especially like the professional feel that it provides all players with, and I hope that I can continue through the process.
It can be difficult to balance the demands of school and rugby due to some evenings, when I do my work, being taken out by training sessions. But it just means I need to be more organised and get work done in free periods, out of lessons and prep time to keep on top of it. Also, Sherborne are very understanding about the commitments that I have and therefore, are lenient if I haven't completed a piece of work in time, which is very helpful. Physically, doing school rugby and academy rugby as well as the gym can be tiring, but both school and Bath are very helpful in managing my load to ensure I am not overdoing it.
My favourite Moulsford rugby moment, of which there are many, has got to be Rosslyn Park 7s tournament vs Millfield. Having only lost 1 game throughout the entire 7s season (and that was to Millfield), and no losses in the Rosslyn Park 7s, it almost felt that this was the final. We were losing going into the final minutes but in the final minute of the game we got a turnover on our line and then attacked from there. We ran all the way up the pitch and the ball must have been passed to each person on the team, then Jacob Knight finished the try off and we won the game. The feeling when the ball was dotted down was unreal and that must have been one of the best feelings I've experienced on a rugby pitch. The feeling of winning the game and having such a successful season with all of my really close mates will be an experience that will never be forgotten.
Cameron Wood, Abingdon
Currently playing at Wasps Under 18 Academy (and spending time on the physio bed!)
With this season somewhat disrupted due to Covid, I’ve also had various injuries/niggles that have kept me rehabbing in the gym and on the physio bed rather than actually playing much in the last 9 months! On reflection, this is probably the best year to have an injury that stops you playing for a few months.
Selective rugby in general: when it is going well, it is good. When it is going bad or you're feeling the pressure, it can be tough. The first thing I would say to anyone is that at any trial, academy or county, just accept that your first touch on the ball will be rubbish, probably a knock on. I think that has been the case at every single trial I’ve been too. But then it’s out the way!
In my experience I’ve always had approachable and friendly coaches (often with an extremely high banter threshold), who have been really knowledgeable. I’d say there’s definitely a notable difference between any school or club session and an academy session. This is mainly due to the level of detail and analysis you get into with the coaches, in terms of techniques and different styles of play. The academy sessions always have a session plan with a clear focus and are intense sessions. Personally I really like this style. Every element of the session is relatively short (between 4 mins to 15 mins, with the game section being 30 mins maybe) and is high quality. A typical session might be 40 mins in the gym, skills block rotation, forwards and backs split or full team focus, then some sort of game to finish for 30 mins. Academy games are intense and physical. They’re also a lot of fun.
Early mornings before school are a good time to get work done. I eat my food in the car on the way back home from the Coventry training ground and get home around 10.00 in the evening. All I really want is a shower and sleep. I don’t usually feel like sinking my teeth into the 19th century Chinese history that’s on my A level course at this point. Then depending on what needs to be done, I get up an hour or an hour and a half earlier than I usually would and knock the work off. However if I’ve been playing in a 7s tournament the day before, I stay in bed for as long as possible as being tired from a 7s tournament is just a different level.
There are quite a few favourite Moulsford rugby memories but the Under 11 Colts A with Mr Weeks was probably when rugby really clicked for me and I really got into it.
Some other best times would probably be when Mr Springer didn’t select me for the 2nd team when I was in Year 7 and I got put into the 3rds. But then I had an absolute belter of a game and got the Lionheart Award and then moved into the 2nds…and then the 1sts by the end of the season. I had the same again in Year 8 when Mr Griffiths didn’t give me a colours tie at the end of the 15s season, but he did give it to me at the end of the 7s season. Scoring the winning try at St John’s Northwood 7s was a good moment too.
The best and worst moment though was probably the last matches we played at Rosslyn Park in Year 8 as it was just really a dream ending to a dream few seasons of rugby with a quality bunch of friends.
