Event Review - The Jags Academy
The NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars Recently Hosted A Three Day “Players Academy” At The Loughborough University Campus. Hosted By London Warriors And NFL Europe Coach, Tony Allen, The Event Gave The Opportunity To Both UK And European Based Players To Hone Their Skills.
A group of Jaguars coaches and players were on hand to pass on their knowledge to the enthusiastic attendees. Special Teams co-ordinator Mike Mallory was supported by All-Pro O-lineman Tony Boselli, quarterback David Gerrard, D-Linemen Marcus Stroud and Aaron Whitecotton and defensive back Drayton Florence.
The residential event cost £250.00 per head, so was it good value? The answer was a resounding yes! There was a unit cost for the 160 delegates, who were housed, fed and watered. They were all provided with “Jags Academy” training kit, but what you couldn’t put a price on was the value of the individual coaching and mentoring.
Trent Renegades linebacker Jack Rice called it, “The best football experience I have ever had”. So what was the format?
Each day started with a group classroom session, before the players broke into their positional groups. On field warm-ups and drills were carried out at a high intensity level. Although it wasn’t full contact with helmets and pads, there was plenty of bag work and complementary sessions with opposing offence/defence groups. The evenings were filled with film sessions, reviewing the days practice, and highlighting areas for improvement. Rice added, “All the coaches were really
supportive, just trying to help you be the best you could. Training twice a day was intense, but I am so glad I went. I will take so much away that I will be able to pass on to team-mates at Trent”.
The Jags director of Player Development and youth football, Marcus Pollard was on hand, along with running back Dennard Robinson. They spoke about the life skills needed to be successful in the game, and to inspire the players to always give of their best, even when faced with adversity.
With delegates flying in from Germany, Russia, Sweden, Austria and Belgium to join the UK players, the event had been a great success. So much so, that they will be looking to organise a further event next year. The Jaguars organisation should be commended for reaching out to the UK players and fans as they strengthen the “bond across the pond”.
When the team are in the UK later this year to play the Colts at Wembley, there will now be 160 individuals who feel they have a special connection with the guys from Jacksonville.