Mini grows with David Lloyd launch

Sue Cade
Authored by Sue Cade
Posted Sunday, May 8, 2016 - 4:03pm

Mini’s Academy has launched an exciting partnership with David Lloyd at Sandy Park.

The Academy, part of the legacy from Exeter’s successful hosting of the Rugby World Cup 2015, is available to younger gym members on Thursdays between 4.30 and 5.30pm as part of their All Stars Programme.

Co-founded by former Exeter Chiefs player Nic Sestaret and with coaching delivered by Exeter Chief’s Community Coaches, Mini's Academy is designed to promote the social and health benefits of team sport, introducing children aged between four and seven to rugby, a sport that has at its heart character-building values of passion, respect, integrity, discipline and solidarity.

Nic said: “We’re delighted to launch this new initiative with David Lloyd at the heart of Exeter rugby central.

“The ethos behind Minis is for children to learn core skills and values that they can use on and off the pitch, enabling even the youngest players get the best possible start to their experience of sport and at the same time building self-esteem,” he explained.

Key to the concept of the academy is the character of Mini, the giant rugby ball that became synonymous with RWC 2015 with over 3,000 children enjoying coaching sessions from Andy Baylis and visits from Mini during the World Cup event.

Primarily an after-school club option, Minis Academy is already proving to be quite a hit in the Exeter area, with children from eight local primary schools signed up for regular after-school clubs, and more schools keen to support the provision of a club that promotes health and emotional wellbeing, for both boys and girls.

Andrew Daitz, Headteacher at Ide Primary said: “The take up has been absolutely fantastic. I think it’s safe to say that we have never before seen such unprecedented interest in an after school club, for this age group, at Ide.”

In addition to new partnership with David Lloyd, Minis Academy is currently finalizing arrangements for a summer school, and plans are in place to move the Academy into schools in Somerset for the start of Autumn 2016 with the support of SASP (Sports and Activity Partnership Somerset).

www.minisacademy.com

 

Share this