Sevens: Wasps launch youth talent academy

Sir Gordon Tietjens has put his considerable weight behind the newly formed Wasps Academy 7s. Photo / Andrew Warner

An elite rugby sevens academy aiming to unearth and mould the game's future stars is being backed by New Zealand rugby legends Sir Gordon Tietjens and Wayne "Buck" Shelford.

The Wasps Academy 7s, which was launched by Rotorua-based New Zealand Wasps Rugby Club at the Steamers v Auckland game on Saturday, is seeking talented youngsters to shape into the next DJ Forbes, Ben Lam or Gillies Kaka.

All Blacks Sevens hall of fame coach Tietjens is an academy ambassador and he will be keeping a watchful eye on the programme's athletes.

"This is a tremendous initiative by Wasps and they should be applauded for it," Tietjens said. "Anyone serious about playing sevens at the highest level needs to be focusing on sevens specific conditioning and game sense. This programme provides this and I'm really looking forward to seeing it evolve.

"It's a pioneering project and a tremendous resource for Bay of Plenty athletes. I'm sure in time other provinces will look to emulate it."

The academy is aimed at Bay of Plenty males aged 17-20 who possess a strong rugby pedigree and a similarly strong desire to excel. Potential participants, once nominated by their head teacher or school/club coach or manager, will undergo a screening and interview process.

Successful applicants will then begin a comprehensive programme, including individualised strength and conditioning work as well as full coverage of all the tactical, mental and physical aspects of the modern Sevens game.

Tietjens says the academy's director of rugby, David Mays, a certified level 4 coach, was an excellent choice to lead the project.

"David's a sevens specialist with over 10 years' high performance experience and we first met on the IRB circuit several years ago. He brings with him a wealth of sevens knowledge and is diligent in keeping up with current coaching, sports science and technology trends."

Shelford also wholeheartedly supported the initiative.

"It's vital to bridge the gap between high school and senior rugby otherwise a lot of youngsters will drop out of the game. The kids need to be playing rugby," he said.