U14 Prop Idol Winner – Jakob Poulton

Well done to Jakob Poulton - U14 Prop Idol Winner Competition

Havant’s Jakob Poulton won the U14 Prop Idol Competition at HMS Temeraire last night. Competing against club players selected from across the county, Jakob impressed the Hampshire RFU development coaches and committee in the strength, power and techniques he demonstrated in tests that used a range of equipment including scrum machines, balls and tackling bags.

He was presented with his prize by England legend Jason Leonard, which included Fast Track Physio and Medical support through the County’s 4SM scheme for a year, and a year’s membership at local sports centres through Hampshire’s Free Access for County Sports People (FACS) scheme.  Additionally Jakob has been invited to take part in county and regional training and assessments.

Prop Idol, in its second year, has seen over 400 children (between the ages of 12 and 17 years) from across the county take part in a competition that raises the profile of front row positions. The competition involves five road shows across the county where specialist coaching sessions are followed by strength, power and technical tests with balls, tackling bags and scrum machines. But equally important has been the off-field work, which includes training sessions for front-row mentors and a workshop for parents to show how scrummaging is coached, refereed and put into practice in a safe and controlled manner. The training has been run by leading forward coaches including Graham Smith, Forward Coach for England women and supported by community coaches and front row mentors.

more details to follow…..