Abigroup National Rugby Camp attracts record numbers
21 January 2009
Paul Schmude’s sports store is busy. Located in the normally quiet
Armidale in northern NSW, the shop and town is still abuzz with kids
whose unbridled enthusiasm for rugby union is a direct result of the
Abigroup National Rugby Camp which was held in the university town last
week from 11 -14 January.
Paul and his brother Dave Schmude have run the camp since 2000 and
have been instrumental in getting key players and coaches to participate
in the rugby intensive. This year, the camp featured workshops by
Wallaby assistant coach Jim Williams and Wallaby players Timana Tahu
and Luke Burgess.
Abigroup, now in its seventh year of sponsoring the camp, recently signed
on to provide another three years of support. The organisers are deeply
appreciative of Abigroup’s assistance, as it enables kids from all over
Australia to attend the four day event.
“Without Abigroup’s sponsorship we wouldn’t be able to have the camp.
Abigroup’s sponsorship money has enabled us to keep costs down,” said
Dave Schmude. This year, a record 300 kids attended the camp.
Besides making another triennial commitment, Abigroup has also
increased its level of sponsorship.
“We are extremely grateful to Abigroup and in particular their Managing
Director Peter Brecht, who went a step further and increased funding after
hearing that we had lost a sponsorship,” said Paul.
The Abigroup National Rugby Camp is one of the most popular camps in
Australia and has grown to five times its original size. It provides the
opportunity for young players to learn from world class players. The
program is designed to promote skills development, physical activity,
maximum participation and teamwork, while still having fun.
“The National Rugby Camp is not elitist – it caters for players of all levels.
We offer a skill-based camp that looks to develop kids as people, not just
players,” says Paul Schmude.
The calibre of the players who have attended the camp (now in its 28th
year) is high. Former Wallaby captain George Gregan attended the camp
as a junior, as did Joe Roff, Chris Latham and Sam Payne. Former ACT
Brumby and Wallaby John Eales Medallist 2005 Jeremy Paul said, “I think
it is the best junior rugby camp in Australia”.
Abigroup Contractors is one of Australia’s leading engineering and
building companies. Works are undertaken in areas including
health, residential, retail, educational, leisure and commercial
building and roads, bridges, dams, rail, water, telecommunications
and mining infrastructure. Abigroup is a wholly owned subsidiary
of Bilfinger Berger AG, one of the world’s top ten construction
companies.
[Ends – 367 words]
Further information:
Corporate Communications
Abigroup Limited
Ph (02) 9499 0999
Fax (02) 9499 3822
Email: abimail@abigroup.com.au
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