Danny Lee Legion Head Coach How does the Legion Academy play a role to the Senior team both long & short term? “The Legion Rugby Academy provides rugby players with the best possible coaching staff with the aim to empower the player to reach their full potential via a high quality and inspiring education, considering the age and ability of the player. The Legion Rugby Academy will provide players with an opportunity to experience a development program which will be tailored to the individual but also provide a pathway through to the Legion MLR team. This is where we want to see a regular flow of quality Academy developed players proudly wearing the Legion badge and running out representing San Diego in the years to come.”
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San Diego Legion Academy

We caught up with San Diego Legion’s academy coaching staff recently to highlight all the work they’re doing to grow rugby in America.

Danny Lee

Legion Head Coach

 

How does the Legion Academy play a role to the Senior team both long & short term?

 

“The Legion Rugby Academy provides rugby players with the best possible coaching staff with the aim to empower the player to reach their full potential via a high quality and inspiring education, considering the age and ability of the player.

 

The Legion Rugby Academy will provide players with an opportunity to experience a development program which will be tailored to the individual but also provide a pathway through to the Legion MLR team.

 

This is where we want to see a regular flow of quality Academy developed players proudly wearing the Legion badge and running out representing San Diego in the years to come.”

Danny Lee Legion Head Coach How does the Legion Academy play a role to the Senior team both long & short term? “The Legion Rugby Academy provides rugby players with the best possible coaching staff with the aim to empower the player to reach their full potential via a high quality and inspiring education, considering the age and ability of the player. The Legion Rugby Academy will provide players with an opportunity to experience a development program which will be tailored to the individual but also provide a pathway through to the Legion MLR team. This is where we want to see a regular flow of quality Academy developed players proudly wearing the Legion badge and running out representing San Diego in the years to come.”

Jack Wiggins

Assistant Coach & Academy Director

“We invest a lot of time & resources into our academy programs so getting a return on this investment is important … bringing through our own players shows that there is a real value in working hard to provide a quality pathway into the MLR.

 

Supporting locally grown players to train & play in our academy, is really what our academy brings to the club. Theses young men have an emotional bond to the club that cannot be underestimated, having a dream plays a huge part in the career of a professional athlete, and our academy system does everything it can to make the dream a possibility for anyone prepared to work hard enough.

 

All of our academy coaches and support staff understand the qualities we want our players to possess. Developing these qualities will mean that when they enter our senior program they are not only good players, they are also good people.

 

Legion academy is the start of the opportunity process for local players. How good is it when their friends, families, and the people from their region can be there to support them.”

Jack Wiggins Assistant Coach & Academy Director “We invest a lot of time & resources into our academy programs so getting a return on this investment is important … bringing through our own players shows that there is a real value in working hard to provide a quality pathway into the MLR. Supporting locally grown players to train & play in our academy, is really what our academy brings to the club. Theses young men have an emotional bond to the club that cannot be underestimated, having a dream plays a huge part in the career of a professional athlete, and our academy system does everything it can to make the dream a possibility for anyone prepared to work hard enough. All of our academy coaches and support staff understand the qualities we want our players to possess. Developing these qualities will mean that when they enter our senior program they are not only good players, they are also good people. Legion academy is the start of the opportunity process for local players. How good is it when their friends, families, and the people from their region can be there to support them.”

Charlie Purdon

Lead Coach, Academy & Community

 

Charlie Purdon on advice for rugby players sharpening their skills at home & how the SD Youth Club ecosystem contributes to Legion Academy success?

 

“Become a student of the game and take complete ownership of your personal development as a rugby player. Build a growth mindset, form positive habits and behaviors that will contribute to the success of your growth.

 

Be deliberate around what skills to prioritize personally and always practice with the best intent and purpose. Express gratitude and display humility & mindfulness within every environment that you train/play.

 

We are extremely fortunate to have an existing Youth & HS rugby ecosystem and wide base of quality volunteer coaches, administrators and parents that got stuck in and got the wheels rolling 10-15 years ago. They are an integral part of the growth of San Diego Rugby & the Legion. It’s our responsibility to find the most efficient & effective way possible to support one another with the aim of developing the quality of the game in San Diego Country.

Credentials 

Photo Credit: @Johnmatthewharrison 


The San Diego Legion Academy and the foundation that supports them: @legion.academy @legioncommunityfoundation

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