What do halfback James Arscott and loose forward Sean Withy have in common apart from being members of the Highlanders squad?
They both took their first steps towards a professional career by taking part in the Highlanders’ schools camp.
The camp, which has been running for about 13 years, has a proven record of turning schoolboys into Super Rugby players.
Recent examples include midfielder-winger Josh Whaanga (John McGlashan), hooker Jack Taylor (Southland Boys’) and fullback Finn Hurley (Otago Boys’), all of whom attended the gathering of the schoolboy elite in 2021 and are now fully contracted Highlanders.
This year’s camp runs over five days and starts at John McGlashan tomorrow.
Some 46 lads from Otago, Southland and North Otago schools will get a chance to be introduced to the tactical and technical demands of professional rugby, and get some insight into the Highlanders’ high-performance principles.
Naturally, the champion Southland Boys’ squad provide the most participants — 12, including Taylor’s brother Jimmy — followed by King’s (11), John McGlashan (six) and Otago Boys’ (six).
There are also players from smaller rugby schools like Dunstan, Wakatipu and Menzies, eager to show you can still forge a career from the outposts of the region.
The camp ends with an internal game where the on-field skills and education gained from the camp will be able to be applied in a game setting.
Coaches for the week are drawn from throughout the Highlanders region including Scott Eade (Southland), Josh Phipps (North Otago) Scott Manson (Otago), Regan Turoa (Otago) Marty McKenzie (Southland), Will Hola (Otago) and Regan Wilson (Southland).
They are supported by a strength and conditioning trainer, nutritionist, mental skills trainer and sports analysts.
“These camps are a great culmination of the rugby year for some of our young and talented schoolboy players drawn from all parts of our region," Highlanders talent development manager Kane Jury said.
"It’s a good opportunity for them to test themselves in a different rugby environment away from the school First XVs."
New Zealand Schools prop Thomas Jennings (Southland Boys’) and New Zealand Maori U18 players Jayden Broome (Maruawai) and Isaac Turoa (Otago Boys’) are unavailable for the camp.
Highlanders’ schools camp
The squad
Dunstan: Riley Allan.
John McGlashan: Jonty Riley, Simon Cavanagh, Will Hancox, Ethan McSkimming, Jaxon Thomson, Alex Piebenga.
King’s: Henry Hunter, Charlie Heller, Riley Boylan, Aisea Fakataha, Jake Palmer, Montell Penese, Max Miller, Isaac Kramers, Jake Hill, Niko Boylan, Lafa Tofiga.
Menzies: Kody Crump.
Mt Aspiring College: Ryan Enoka, Jackson Clark.
Otago Boys': Kahu Turoa, Kane Dynes, Tom Wilson, Sione Takataka, Jackson Hughan, Tevita Latu.
South Otago: Harlin Puna, Wyatt Shanks.
Southland Boys’: Presley McHugh, Jake Evans, Luka Salesa, Stefano Mazeda, Joe Loffhagen, Mason Coulthard, Thomas Spain, Jack McKeay, Mika Muliaina, Jimmy Taylor, Caleb Harvey, Jack Brock.
St Kevin's: Kobe Narruhn.
Waitaki Boys': Tamaiti-Maru Willie, Billy Wilson.
Wakatipu: Xavier Small, Ben Hogan.
