Seghill U12 grill Falcon's stars
Apr
Today, Seghill U12 coach, David Warner, took three of his young charges along to the Newcastle Falcon's ground at Kingston Park, where they had a unique opportunity to interview some of the stars of the Falcon's team.
Young prop, Josh Fenwick got to fire his questions at Micky Ward, Lewis Banks, who plays at centre, put his questions to Toby Flood and Ryan Wood, who is a scrum half was able to gain some valuable advice from James Grindal.
The question and answer session will provide part of a presentation to be shown at Seghill Junior's annual awards evening on May 1st. ( To which the players were cordially invited - if they are free).
Before the questions began, the players chatted with the lads, putting them at ease, and Micky Ward admitted he can't eat before a game
Ryan's questions for Micky:
Ryan: Do you have a favourite drill or training routine?
Micky: We have quite a few core drills which we us to help us stay flat in the scrums and to help us use all our strength and power.
Ryan: Have you any advice for budding props?
Micky: Concentrate on working hard and doing your drills. Always give 100%.
Ryan: What is your most memorable rugby moment?
Micky: I have three. Signing my first professional contract. Winning the Powergen Cup and winning the Tetley Cup.
Ryan: How did you get into rugby.
Micky: It was at middle school. It really began as a group of friends playing rugby together, and progressed from there, getting fitter and stronger.
Lewis' questions for Toby:
Lewis: Do you have a kicking drill or technique you practice?
Toby: We practice kicking for an hour and a half, but what I like best is to have pressure to make you concentrate. So we might take 10 kicks, being told we must get 9 of them. It makes you concentrate and work harder.
Lewis: After playing for Morpeth and Alnwick, what was it like first starting for the Falcons?
Toby: Fantastic. My first start was out of position, at full back, against Wasps. It felt great. By then, I had played a lot of senior rugby, which helped.
Lewis: Have you any advice for lads playing at centre.
Toby: The best advice I was given is go out and enjoy yourself. Try to relax and just enjoy it every time you play.
Ryan's questions for James:
Ryan: After 6 years with the Falcons, what is your most memorable moment?
James: It has to be the 2004 Powergen Cup final, when we beat Sale Sharks 37-33. I felt so proud to have won some silverware.
Ryan: Do you practice any special drills?
James: As a scrum half, you are the link between forwards and backs, so you don't just have to practice passing and kicking, but you also need good communication skills.
Ryan: What advice would you give to an up and coming scrum half?
James: Get really good at the technical skills like passing, and be able to kick off both feet. You have to be the eyes of the forwards and learn to communicate well between them and the backs. Play and train as often as you can, and make the most of every opportunity you get.
The players then signed some photos and posters, and posed for photographs with the delighted youngsters, before heading off to training, or in Toby's case a date for treatment with the physio.
