Quinssa & the Academy

As you may remember, Tony Copsey indicated at our AGM that he would be delighted if Quinssa continued to support the club as a whole by supporting the Academy. Supporting the club is, of course, one of Quinssa’s Aims.

A message from Collin Osbourne

Over the last few years Quinssa have supported the academy by first offering bursaries and latterly by funding the exchange programme which we ran with the Natal Sharks Academy. Each year we sent two schoolboys whom we believed would benefit from the exposure to another rugby environment to train in South Africa for 3 weeks and we reciprocated by hosting two of their academy scholars. Previous recipients were Tom Sargeant, Seb Stegmann, Chris York and Sam Smith. However this year it was felt that the money raised could be spread further  by using  it to prepare our U17 squad for the Rugby Against Hunger tournament in Toulouse.

This was the second year of the tournament after Harlequins hosted the inaugural competition last year. The  French charity, Action Against Hunger, approached Harlequins for support and we were happy to be involved. 8 teams in 2 pools of 4 competed in a round robin format and then each team played against the team of the same rank in the other pool to finish with a ranking from 1 to 8.

This year, our pool contained Perpignan, Toulon and Leicester while the other pool had Toulouse, Saracens, Castre and Stade Francais. There were some very closely contested games and some very ‘interesting’ refereeing which all made for an extremely competitive day of rugby. After, somehow, contriving to loose to Perpignan, 5pts-7pts in our opening game Quins defeated Toulon 10pts-7pts and then went down against Tigers 5pts -10pts in the last pool game, victory in which would have ensured a place in the final. We then met Stade Francais in the play off and proved to be much too classy for them, winning by 21-0.

Quinssa’s support for the academy process at Harlequins is absolutely fantastic and we believe that once again this opportunity has allowed us to clarify and confirm our thoughts on who the next crop of young men are that will follow the path of the likes of Mike Brown, Jordan Turner-hall, Tom Guest, Ugo Monye, Tom Williams,  etc into our first team and beyond. We are extremely grateful for all the effort that Quinssa puts in to fund raising to support us and the success of the academy process here at  Harlequins owes much to your contribution.

Quinssa Academy Sponsorship 2008

After consulting with Collin Osborne and Tony Diprose we are planning to spread the funds over a wider group this year. We hosted the Action Against Hunger U17 tournament at the Stoop last summer and this year the second edition is being held in Toulouse. Quins have been invited and intend to send a team and Quinssa will be sponsoring that group using the Academy Fund above.
A cheque will be presented at the More Affordable Do on 24th April.

Academy players' report from Natal 2007

I would like to take this opportunity of thanking Quinssa for giving me a fantastic trip.

To start with this was a great experience not just for experienced or skillful players but for anyone. Everyone had their own standard, which I think helped the whole group.

In the rugby skills we started off with learning the south african principles of rugby play, i.e beating the player and so on. This was interesting to look at as it gave us a chance to see what they valued most in order to play their type of rugby. They were very similar however targeted other skills in order to setup certain parts. The rugby built up over the three weeks into contact then positional skills and eventually building all the things we learnt into little games in order to try the things we learnt into real life. I think the major thing i learnt was how to use the skills in order to speed up play and make the rest of my team available for executing overlaps, with me staying on my feet, or even possibly breaking lines in their defense due to these skills.

The gym work we did was very encouraging and rewarding over the three weeks, haviung noticed not only size and strength but technique in my progress. Starting off the trip with having to do some tests to show where everyone was at, the check up after three weeks, gave me a very satisfying feeling, only just by looking at the stats from what i did then and now. Also being able to take the programme we had been working on for the three weeks, and to use as my programme for the pre-season, after having seen the difference in three weeks, I am looking forward to seeing the difference in a month.

The trips were superb, allowing us all to get away from the intense sessions that we were doing daily, ranging from water parks to safari visits. Everything helped for us to take a load off and have a good time, not only doing so just on the rugby field.

The staff were brilliant throughout the trip and were always keen to help us in anyway possible to make the most out of our time spent there. The lectures also were very good, even going through the rules of rugby and making sure we knew them, was good to see how much each of us knew. The lectures also covered how a player was to be either good or great. This was a great talk, which i think everyone will take into account and remember, it is all attitude.

Many thanks again, and I hope you get enough in this message to tell you how great it really was.

Chris York

You can find out more about the Harlequin Academy at http://www.quins.co.uk/AcademyHub
You can find out more about the Natal Sharks Academy at http://www.sharksacademy.co.za/

Academy players' report from Natal 2006

Seb and Tom in the ABSA Stadium

The Academy, which is based at Durban's ABSA Stadium is more like a University for talented players where they can combine rugby with their studies.

On our first day we were introduced to Academy manager Hans Scriba who asked us what we wanted to improve on in the next three weeks. We spent the rest of the day being put through all kinds of skills and fitness tests, which was knackering! The training introduced us to the different way in which rugby is played in S.A., particularly their techniques of passing and lines of running.

We were also given the opportunity to train with the Natal Under 18 and Under 21 sides, which was a real step up in terms of physicality and intensity. We also worked hard on our physical conditioning with coach Barry Angus, in the gym, in the pool and in the stadium itself making use of stairs in the grand stand for sprints.

Our time in S.A. also gave us the opportunity to experience some off-field activities, such as, paint balling with two former S.A. international paint ballers (we came off second best and had the bruises to prove it!), go diving with sharks at Ushaka Marine World, trying our hand at surfing and karaoke at Tom's Birthday!

We have learnt a lot about rugby and its integral part in S.A. culture and have come away with lots of new skills and ideas that will improve our game back home. We would like to thank Quinssa for enabling us to have this awesome experience and to Hans Scriba and our host family for making our time so enjoyable!

Seb and Tom  

SEBASTIAN STEGMANN is on a sports scholarship at Cranleigh School and has played for England at U16 & U18 level. He has been a member of the Harlequins EPDC since U15's. Sebastian represented England U18's a year young this season in the four nations tournament in Gloucestershire and has been invited to the Loughborough week in August for the top 40 players in the 16-18 age group. He is a strong running winger. Seb was also the recipient of a Quinssa Bursary last season. More about Seb.

TOM SARGEANT is a pupil at RGS Guildford and has also been a member of the EPDC since U15's. he represented England U16'A' and this year England U18 in Italy where he was part of the tournament winning side. He too has been invited to the Loughborough camp this summer. He plays his rugby on the flank and is equally at home at 6 or 7. More about Tom.

The Quinssa/Harlequin FC Academy scheme is a joint venture between Quinssa and the Harlequin FC Academy to raise funds to support the Harlequin FC Academy. All proceeds will be managed by Quinssa for the sole benefit of the Harlequin FC Academy with the usage of the proceeds to be mutually agreed between agreed representatives of each.

Tony Russ (former Academy Manager and now Head Scout) asked us to pass on:
“I am absolutely delighted to acknowledge the tremendous support which Quinssa is offering to the academy. Last season the association provided funds for four player bursaries and this year has gone even further in sponsoring our links with the Natal Sharks Academy. This support will enable two boys to spend a month with the Sharks during the summer of 2006. We are so lucky to have this support and I personally thank all members of Quinssa for their efforts on our behalf.”

You can find out more about the Harlequin Academy at http://www.quins.co.uk/AcademyHub.ink?refid=
You can find out more about the Natal Sharks Academy at http://www.sharksacademy.co.za/

BE PART OF THE FUTURE OF QUINS

The Quinssa/Harlequin FC Academy scheme is a joint venture between Quinssa and the Harlequin FC Academy to raise funds to support the Harlequin FC Academy. All proceeds will be managed by Quinssa for the sole benefit of the Harlequin FC Academy with the usage of the proceeds to be mutually agreed between agreed representatives of each.

You can support the scheme in two ways.

1. Make a donation to provide much needed help to support the scheme by filling in your details on the donation form.
2. Join our 100+ club in aid of the scheme

Academy Director Tony Russ says:

“I am absolutely delighted with this initiative. The benefit of the Academy scheme is really beginning to show at Harlequins FC and with your support we can build on this success. Quinssa has proved to be a supportive partner in recent years with bursaries and sponsoring the Natal Sharks exchange program. I am confident that by working together, every penny will be wisely invested.”

Please note we have closed down our 100+ Club now because Harlequins have set up their own version and it didn't seem sensible to keep the two going.

We have committed £2,000 to the programme and these ring-fenced funds will allow an additional two players and a coach to spend time in South Africa as part of their development programme. 

This sponsorship will replace the bursary scheme of last season and we are now working on a linked scheme for one-off or periodic donations by members, ring-fenced for this cause.

Tony Russ asked us to pass on:
“I am absolutely delighted to acknowledge the tremendous support which Quinssa is offering to the academy. Last season the association provided funds for four player bursaries and this year has gone even further in sponsoring our links with the Natal Sharks Academy. This support will enable two boys to spend a month with the Sharks during the summer of 2006. We are so lucky to have this support and I personally thank all members of Quinssa for their efforts on our behalf.”

George Robson, Quins Academy lock, went on the exchange to Natal last season, you can read his report here.

Academy Head Tony Russ has asked us to assist in his search for accommodation for short periods

On the Harlequins Official Web Site Tony Russ Added:
"This level of commitment from our own supporters is both welcome and encouraging and has enabled us to continue with our exchange programme in the reduced circumstances in which we found ourselves this season," said Russ. "Our thanks go to the Quinssa committee and members for their enthusistic support of the academy and we hope to repay this support by providing even more players for future first teams here."

A Request From The Harlequins Academy

Quinssa Bursaries

To date we have awarded six Quinssa Bursaries to Academy players:

1. Tosh Masson
2. Darren Clayton
3. Mark Odejobi
4. Jordan Turner-Hall
5. Sandy Reid
6. Seb Stegman

The first recipient was Tajiv 'Tosh' Masson who is moving up from the U19 and U21 sides of previous years to being a regular starter for the 2ndXV who are currently top of the Southern Conference of the Zurich 'A' League. Tosh has also represented Kent U18s and London South East Schools U18s at centre. In the 2005/6 season Tosh played a number of games for Harlequins 1stXV and also got his first England Cap at U21 level against Scotland.

The second bursary was awarded to Darren 'Daz' Clayton who recently joined the Quins Academy on a four week trial and has made rapid strides to become a regular first choice for the U19s. He has represented Surrey at U18 level and recently moved from playing centre to openside flanker.
Both players are amateur members of the Academy and the awards of £500 and £350 will help them with their travel to training. After the first two Bursaries were given both Tosh Masson and Daz Clayton were given contracts by the Harlequins Academy
You can find out more about Tosh here and about Daz here.

The third and fourth Bursaries were awarded in March 2005 and they went to two schoolboy Academy players who are both members of this year's England team at Under 18: Mark 'Odjob' Odejobi and Jordan Turner-Hall. These awards mark the hard work and commitment that these players have put into the academy programme which has helped them to achieve this level of performance.

Mark 'Odjob' Odejobi is a pupil at Millfield School and plays on the right wing, during 2004 he played three times for England U16 but he has now been selected for the England U18 team. You can find out more about Mark here.
Jordan Turner-Hall is currently a pupil at Brighton College and plays in the centre. Like Mark Odejobi he also played three times for England U16 before recently moving up to the U18 squad. You can find out more about Jordan here. In the 2005/6 season Jordan became the second youngest player to ever play for Quins 1stXV, he also started regularly for England U19.

Academy manager Tony Russ said " We are extremely grateful for the continued support that Quinssa is giving to the academy. It is reassuring to know that the Quins supporters are interested in what we are doing and supportive of the young players that the academy is producing. Such awards are a real shot in the arm not only for the recipients but for the Academy in general."

Quinssa would like to wish all the players all the best for their futures at Harlequins.