Half-Term TTP Review
Over the February Half-Term, nearly 120 players were put through their paces in the wind and rain at Castleford Academy as part of the Club’s Tigers Talent Pathway.
The sessions were led by Tigers’ Youth Performance staff plus qualified coaches from nearby community clubs and the Castleford Tigers Foundation, and focused on the fundamental skills and movement with a series of technical drills, before organising several smaller games to help younger players to adjust to playing alongside unfamiliar faces.
Since starting up in 2015 the programme has been attended by several current First Team players, who have since gone on to make their Super League debuts, including Lewis Peachey, and Sam Hall. The programme is also the first opportunity for promising young players to showcase their talents and attitudes to coaching and development to the Castleford coaching staff.
Head of Youth Performance Darren Higgins was in attendance and helped explain to players and parents how the TTP can open career pathways to join to the Tigers, but also to emphasise the benefits that it offers both local players and their clubs.
“First and foremost at this age, it is about enjoying rugby. There’s a good number of players from local community clubs, and further afield which is great representation of the community game. Ultimately it’s about enjoyment and about developing players: Some will hopefully progress onto scholarships, some won’t necessarily at 14/15 years of age, but they are able to keep attending the programme and maybe find an entry point into the scholarship or academy side at a later date, which is why we continue to run at the under 15’s and 16’s age groups.’
The next Tigers Talent Pathway sessions will take place the week commencing the 6th April. To take part in these or any future sessions, please complete the Tigers Talent Pathway Registration form.