TRANSFERABLE skills are prevalent across a multiple of sporting disciplines, but the foresight of the Jersey Rugby Club has led to an extremely harmonious and useful partnership with Jersey Judo.
RFC Girls lead coach Julia Williams first reached out to Jersey Judo coach Mike Bisson earlier this year, seeking a new style of training for her young girls.
What followed were weeks of specific purpose training, integrating both sporting techniques to aid the development of an all-round athlete.
“Rugby and judo have combined for a long time now,” said Williams.
“We know the England team, for example, has used judo training and techniques to aid their players’ ability in handling their and their opponents’ bodies when playing and it’s proved mighty effective.
“We approached Jersey Judo earlier this year and we have taken part in sessions put on for us up at Fort Regent on Friday evenings.
“The coaching and all-round attitude displayed by the superb judo coaches have been absolutely fantastic.”
Williams, who assists the coaching of the female junior section of the JRFC, from ages 12-18, emphasised the benefits this partnership has offered, both on and off the pitch.
“The skills they have been developing are remarkably similar to those used in rugby matches,” the lead visionary coach continued.
“The girls have thoroughly enjoyed learning useful tools from the sport of judo and we have had excellent feedback from all involved.”
Jersey judo coach Mike Bisson was equally enthusiastic about the partnership, saying: “The combination of both sports’ skill sets is already well known and we were only too happy to assist when we were first approached.
“We have helped the girls experience new ways of approaching their skills in the game of rugby.
“Things like tackling, landing correctly and positioning yourself on the ground to distribute the ball efficiently is all something we can aid with.
“The safety element is obviously paramount, how to land correctly to avoid injury and how to position yourself on the ground to help distribute the ball as efficiently as possible is crucial for young players to learn effectively.
“But on top of that it’s been so much fun. The girls have been so incredibly enthusiastic in the sessions and we thank them for that.
“They have got stuck in, worked together as a team at times and experienced, what might be for some, a totally new sport and a new way of bonding with their team.”
The girls section of the JRFC Minis and Juniors currently has around 35 girls between ages 12-18, a crop that would very much like to experience more matches, as stated by Williams.
“We don’t get a huge number of opportunities to play matches,” she concluded.
“The very least we can control is our own capabilities on the field, and combining our skills with other local sports is an excellent way to help develop these girls further, as well as building a great partnership with another local sport.”
