Warriors Coach Youths As Part Of The National Youth Sports Program At Yale University

2009-07-20

Warriors coach Roy Leoni, along with Ihaka Waerea and Kea Misipeka have been teaching the youths (aged between 8-15) the basic skills of rugby league and incorporating them into games to give them a fun and enjoyable experience of which many have never heard of.

“Most of the kids haven’t heard of Rugby let alone Rugby League, we have had some humorous comments like – that ball looks like a pregnant football.”

Coach Leoni said that he was impressed with the skill level of the kids as majority of them are able to pick up the basic understanding of the drills and games easily.

“There are some natural athletes running around out there. With a little bit of coaching and guidance they could be good footy players.”

The program runs for another two weeks, with the hope that some kids will be interested enough to take part in a full rugby camp being run in September by the New Haven side, and targeted towards established high school rugby teams, that will be gearing up for their fall Rugby Union season.

Pictured in the photo from left to right are Thomas Hamon, Roy Leoni (New Zealand Univeristy Rugby League), Jordan Skolnick (Program Director), Kea Misipeka (Pearl City Rugby Union Club), Ihaka Waerea (Otago University, New Zealand)

More photos of the program can be found here…