DPP U15 Match Day Experience

On Saturday, players from London Irish’s U15 Developing Player Programme attended a training day and match day experience at the Madejski Stadium for the Greene King IPA Championship game against Coventry.

To start the day, the players had a training session in The Dome at the Madejski Stadium in preparation for the U15’s match against Worcester Academy at Maidenhead RFC on Wednesday 27 February (kick-off 7.15pm).

Afterwards, the boys and their families made their way to a private hospitality suite in the stadium where they enjoyed a hot meal and refreshments following the session. The young players also had the opportunity to chat to first team players Stephen Myler and Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi who visited the group for a Q&A, before they all made their way to their seats to watch the game.

For five of the players the day was a particularly memorable occasion, as they went on to the pitch at half-time to practise conversion kicking in front of just under 3,000 cheering supporters. Toby Pendle, Ned Watson, Charlie Barnes, Connor Peters and Josh Law took it in turns to kick at the posts, to give them valuable exposure of kicking in front of a crowd.

DPP Manager Jack Pattinson was delighted to give the U15 DPP players the experience.

“It was fantastic to run a training session in The Dome for the U15 DPP players ahead of their game against Worcester, and to combine it with lunch, the Q&A and watching London Irish play made it into a really special day for the boys.

“It was especially great to see the five players kicking on the pitch at half-time. There aren’t many opportunities to give them exposure to kicking under pressure, and what better practise that in the middle of a Championship fixture - they loved it!

“All of the boys and their families had a brilliant day and are looking forward to running out next Wednesday against Worcester.”

If you would like to support the U15’s in their game against Worcester on Wednesday 27 February, entry to Maidenhead RFC is free for all.