Bective Lad departs on Rugby Odyssey

This week, Bective U21 Lock - Oisin Lennon will embark on a remarkable tour of high class rugby in the Southern hemisphere, the envy of the team-mates he leaves behind. "We all wish him the best of luck, he is a top lad and we know he will excel there and come back the better for it" said U21 Head Coach Jim Oliver.

Oisin has been accepted into the International Rugby Academy in New Zealand (IRANZ) - based in Palmerston North. His journey begins on 28^th January when he will attend the High Performance Course in the Academy. The course takes in 30 players in total - with 2 players per position and involves various innovative coaching methods plus the participation of rugby legends Murray Mexted, David Campese, Pat Lam and Brian Ashton. It will be a gruelling programme starting at 6 every morning to between 5/8 in the evening.

On completing the course the students are farmed out to hand-picked clubs who are geared to continue the high performance program. Oisin will be heading for Christchurch to join Glenmark Rugby Club.

"Glenmark is famous for punching above its weight and has produced over 40 New Zealand Internationals including Dan Carter!" Oisin says. "Once I arrive there I'll be put straight into preseason training and then I'll be joining the First Team on their tour of Sydney in March (organised by another former Glenmark player - Robbie Deans). After that I'll have to work hard to keep my place for the season proper and enjoy the whole New Zealand brand of tough rugby - while working in a Polo yard which will be another fantastic experience. My plan is to return to Bective in time for the 2010 / 11 season with as much rugby experience as possible and see if I can make the First XV."