Please note: the programme is aimed specifically at players in the Under 13/Under 14 age groups (boys) and Under 15 and Under 18 Girls.

As per the last two seasons we will be running 5 Prop Idol road shows across the county and a final that will be a curtain raiser for the Royal Navy v London Irish game. This is a very successful scheme and players and coaches will benefit from the expert knowledge of our guest coaches.

The schedule of these events is set out below.

 ·         Ellingham & Ringwood RFC – Wednesday 11^th February, 6.45-9pm (inc girls)

·         Vectis RFC – Monday 23rd February, 6.45-9pm (inc girls)

·         Eastleigh RFC – Wednesday 11th March, 6.45 -9pm  (inc girls)

·         Basingstoke RFC – Monday 30th March, 6.45 -9pm (inc girls)

·         Havant RFC – Wednesday 8th April, 6.45 -9pm (inc girls)

·        Finals before Royal Navy v London Irish – Tuesday 14^th April (details to be confirmed)

Please note that players do not have to be existing ‘Front Rowers’ just be keen to have a go.  You never know your current centre maybe the ‘Next Big Thing.’ The Prop Idol competition will test the technical ability and physical attributes of the players, don’t worry they wont have to sing!

To aid easy administration of the scheme, if you wish to take part please complete and return the attached documents to Sharon Evans sharonevans@rfu.com as soon as possible but no later than two weeks prior to the competition.

Finally, should you wish to discuss this further or require any further information then please do not hesitate to contact Sharon Evans on 07850982229, or Jamie Sanders on 07921283163.

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.

The project includes coach development sessions to train front-row mentors for every club and a workshop for parents to show how scrummaging is coached, refereed and put into practice in a safe and controlled manner.

The overall aim is to raise the profile of front-row play and coaching, and to encourage children to develop their skills and retain their commitment to the game.

The coaching sessions are followed by a series of strength, power and technical competitions with balls, tackling bags and scrum machines to find a winner from each roadshow and a Hampshire Prop Idol.