Frequently Asked Questions
General Accelerate Rugby FAQs
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My son or daughter wants to become a better rugby player and play at as high a level as possible? How can you help and what can you offer?
We offer a wide ranging number of coaching opportunities. In the main camps in most school holidays and ever increasingly bespoke small group and 1 to 1 sessions.
Please note that girls can attend at ages P6 & P7. After that age, regulations make it difficult so we don’t accept girls in senior school (S1 to S4). -
Go to the Book Now page and you will see all the current classes
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I (Duncan Hodge) am a Level 4 and the highest qualified level possible and have a Masters in Performance Coaching. I have coached professionally for 15 yrs with Scotland and Edinburgh mainly. Latterly I have coached and consulted for Fiji, USA, Holland and World Rugby. As important, I have coached kids at every year group all my life and currently coach at school and Elite Youth (U18) levels.
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Yes they are. We have a wide range of coaches, many who are Level 3 and have coached district and national Age Group youth rugby. 4 have also been Semi Pro coaches and most of us also coach Senior Club teams.
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No. This is where we differ and I will not classify or advertise a Pro player as a ‘Coach’. Players are not experienced coaches and often not qualified so I will not let them coach. Pro players will attend camps though. They will attend to inspire the kids and share their journey and experiences. They may run small demonstrations or offer tips under the guidance of our team of coaches.
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I want the most experienced coaches coaching the players and being a young player doesn’t translate directly into coaching. We do however have school aged kids at camp to help the week run smoothly. They will not directly coach and are often there for work experience purposes.
School Age Rugby Camp FAQs
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Yes absolutely. Please contact us to find out how to do this.
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We absolutely welcome players of all levels and experience. The best way to describe the players that attend is that they all want to learn and become better rugby players.
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Players can come from 10 years old or P6 until 16 years old or S5.
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Occasionally we do on an individual case basis. This would involve a chat with the parent and a conversation around any younger players physically being able to cope. Mentally as well we would expect players to be able to mix well with others, be fairly independent and accept more detailed coaching.
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Tough to define exactly as it depends on the camp and the year group. However, we have large numbers so it can be anything between 10—25 in each year group.
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Once players get nearer 16 years old we tend to find exams and representative rugby often get in the way and numbers lessen slightly. Please email me if you have any questions.
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Do not worry, it is not relevant to much of the training. Players of a younger age do not always know their position. Please just guess and choose a forward or backs position for example. It is not important and just allows planning for some specialist positional skills
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It depends on the week, time of the season and ground conditions. There will be no live matches for definite. In general, most contact will be safe and controlled and in small groups for learning purposes. The aim is for kids to maximise technical learning and development and return to their schools and clubs fit and healthy.
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It will vary depending on the camp but we have themed days. Mornings are planned for development and maximal reps.
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Often they are yes. We only have a finite number of quality coaches plus some venues will limit the number we can take. Easter Camp (first week) and all summer Camps normally hit capacity
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They are held at various venues (please check the Book Now page). Historically they have been held at Newfield (Central Edinburgh), Edinburgh University Peffermill Sports grounds (Central Edinburgh), Glasgow Academy School and Haddington Rugby Club (East Lothian)
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Is it the Edinburgh Newfield or the Musselburgh Newfield?
If Newfield is stated as the venue is it Newfield belonging to Edinburgh Academy School (EH3 5PG)
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It depends on the venue but rugby boots and moulded footwear are best. Bringing both boots and trainers is always advisable due to hard grounds and very occasionally sometimes we can get moved pitches and be inside or on Hockey Astro pitches.
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No, players should bring lunch, snacks and water to all camps or classes.
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Yes they can attend at ages P6 & P7. After that age, regulations make it difficult so we unfortunately don’t accept girls in senior school (S1 to S4).
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Absolutely. Before camp, contact details will be sent out. Please then notify the nominated person at each camp.
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No, sadly we don’t. We have lots who have travelled from abroad but have found their own accommodation.
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Sadly we do not, no.
1-2-1 Private Coaching FAQs
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That will be dictated to by the player or parent. Some skills are far easier to coach in a 1-1 setting than other skills which require context and other players.
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Mainly these take place in North Edinburgh and most players travel. I do travel when I can and combine it with other pieces of work.
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It totally varies! Beginners who want to learn. Younger players who lack confidence, who want to improve technically. Also players who are in or want to get into district programs and are keen to develop specific skills.
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Generally, yes. However, I do not profess to be an expert in all area’s e.g. scrum half play or scrummaging so in those cases I tend to get help for such requests. I will only coach skills I believe I am an expert in.
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It varies depending on how many sessions and sometimes travel. Please contact me to find out details
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Yes
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This can vary hugely. Often the best thing is to do 1 session and discuss and assess the need for sessions from there.
Specialist Rugby Skills Coaching FAQs
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Usually they take place at Newfield, Edinburgh Academy School Grounds EH3 5PG
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Usually kicking, defence & breakdown, scrum half and sometimes a set piece block.
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Often a 4 week block and each session will 1 hour long
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It will vary depending on the number of sessions but usually £25-30 per individual session. Keep an eye on the Booking page for upcoming spaces.
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No. This is where we differ and I will not classify or advertise a Pro player as a ‘Coach’. Players are not experienced coaches and often not qualified so I will not let them coach. Pro players will attend camps though. They will attend to inspire the kids and share their journey and experiences. They may run small demonstrations or offer tips under the guidance of our team of coaches.
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I want the most experienced coaches coaching the players and being a young player doesn’t translate directly into coaching. We do however have school aged kids at camp to help the week run smoothly. They will not directly coach and are often there for work experience purposes.