BERKELEY – The 25th-annual Cal Rugby Summer Camp for boys ages 14-18 took place at Witter Rugby Field this past weekend. Cal welcomed a sold-out camp of 160 campers from eleven different states and beyond U.S. borders to Strawberry Canyon. Many were return-campers who came back for another year of development and exposure to the elite collegiate rugby program.

"It was a really good camp with terrific campers, many of which have serious potential for the next level," Cal head coach Jack Clark said. "Our camp counselors were excellent. It's one of the most enjoyable weeks of the year, lots of fun." 
   
The premier rugby camp featured three intensive days of skill-building and interaction with the renowned Cal coaches and current Golden Bears who served as camp counselors. Players of all different experience levels attended camp to train with the Cal program.  

The curriculum focused on developing fundamental rugby skills and competition play. It also placed an emphasis on building the imperative aspects of a rugby player's sportsmanship and "teamship" – on and off the pitch. The campers were also introduced to the "sport is study" concept, which empowers them to be continual learners of the game. 

The format of the camp was to train skills in the mornings and to compete in the afternoons. Surrounding the field sessions were a series of seminars on various topics. Daley Stevens, a learning specialist from the Athletic Study Center, gave advice for applying to college and presented a blueprint for succeeding in their academics in college. Associate Head Coach Tom Billups presented a strength clinic, teaching the campers strength movements which they can use to supplement their rugby training. George O'Neil of the Northern California Referee Society, also conducted a seminar on the "Laws of the Game" and led a Q&A session on scenario-specific point of law questions.
 
Then, it was time for some competition. The campers played Golden Bear Rules rugby and showed off what they'd learned in front of their friends and family.

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