Three of the West of Scotland's most exciting young rugby talents were inducted into the National Academy and West of Scotland Institute of Sport this week. All three are members of Scotland's under 17 development squad which
had its first taste of international rugby in the Millfield
International Rugby Festival in April.
The team scored a memorable win against France Seventeen year olds, Andrew Kirkland, Greenock Wanderers No.8 from Houston in Renfrewshire; Bearsden's Robert McAlpine, second row with Glasgow Academy; and Duncan Weir, stand-off from Cambuslang, were all identified as players who have the potential to move into the professional game.
We feel these three really have the potential to make it as professional players, said Peter Wright, National Academy Coach (Glasgow).
If they want to make it there's no reason why with the West of Scotland Institute of Sport and SRU's help they can't go the whole way. What we are giving them is the best opportunity to make the most of their skills and talent.
Whilst the Academy provides technical and tactical expertise, the West of Scotland Institute of Sport's expert teams work together to deliver essential support services locally in sports medicine, sports science and strength and conditioning and career and lifestyle guidance.
The rugby is the easy part because they are all good players and have the talent, it's just getting the rest of it right. said Wright. With the Academy and the Institute there are as many as eight people, all professionals in their fields, sitting down together and talking about one player.
A lot more resources will be made available to these players. There will be more Strength & Conditioning work with one to one with coaches, psychology, performance lifestyle and medical support.
The partnership approach of the Academies and Scotland's Area Institutes of Sport has already proved a successful formula for developing top junior players into full time professionals.
This is the first stage in that process and we have had a lot of success in the past with players like Johnny Beatty and John Barclay who have come through the same system, added Wright. Hopefully these will be players that can follow them.