Shadowman Sports are delighted to announce a partnership with AFYA Sports Training to help create a smarter Rugby sports environment in the UK to help players train smarter, play longer and perform better through specialised training camps.
Shadowman Sports has designed the first, patented detachable mobile tackle system that allows athletes to perform full-speed drills without player-to-player contact. In the current Rugby climate, especially in the area of the Tackle, repetition is essential to perfecting effective tackle technique.
The grey area of the rugby tackle can now be realistically replicated through Shadowman Sports equipment and executed through the expertise of AFYA’s highly experienced coaching staff.
Shadowman Sports has partnered with some of the world’s largest contact sports organisations such as USA Football, Football Canada and the LA Rams in a initiative to improve professional and grassroots Tackle Technique to address the issue of player welfare present in contact sports. Shadowman Sports is delighted to team up with AFYA Sports in taking the first initial step of touring Shadowman Rugby Camps in the UK to improve Tackle Technique education at all levels.
AFYA’s leadership team is made up of internationally recognized coaches and sports educators who have a background in a variety of sports including rugby union, netball, tennis and athletics stretching as far as Australia and New Zealand.
AFYA’s courses are specially designed to educate its participants and incorporate insights into the F.A.S.T.E.R sports fundamentals (First Step Quickness, Agility and Acceleration,Stopping and Starting, Technique Efficiency, Explosive Power, Reaction Skills).
AFYA’s Head of Training and Development James Wade stated, “Shadowman is a unique and innovative defence and tackling system. As a coach, player welfare must always come first and with having Shadowman in our armoury we have been able to improve and develop our defensive systems without compromising the players. It has enabled us to train in realistic game situations both individually and collectively. An invaluable, piece of kit!”
Ben Wood, AFYA’s Managing Director stated, “AFYA is delighted with this partnership with Shadowman and we look forward to working together in helping players and teams to develop their individual and collective skill sets across the UK.”
Shadowman Sports Tackle Camps powered by AFYA will take place in a number of the UK’s leading rugby schools and clubs over the coming months. Dates to be announced in the coming weeks.
Our Leadership Team
Ben Wood
Managing Director
Ben founded AFYA with the aim of giving children and young adults an opportunity to express and develop themselves in sport both as individuals and members of a team.
Before founding AFYA he worked as an executive coach and corporate recruiter in the life sciences sector where he helped multinationals identify, recruit and nurture high-performing individuals for their respective companies.
Ben has always been passionate about sport and its potential and ability to unlock and develop talent – both sporting and personal.
Prior to working in industry Ben was an Army Officer and HALO Trust Country Representative in Angola where he recruited, trained and led ex-UNITA guerrillas to work in support of numerous charities including Save The Children, Oxfam, Concern and ICRC.
Ben is an RFU coach and has over 25 years of coaching and training experience in a variety of settings.
He was educated at the University of Leicester, Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and The College of Law Chester and is a proud father of three children.
James Wade
Head of Training & Development Programmes
James joined the AFYA team in November 2014 and brings an invaluable amount of rugby knowledge and expertise.
James has over a decade of experience in the Premiership, working for Sale Sharks and London Wasps during periods of great success for both clubs. He is also head coach for Oxford University Rugby Club.
His role at Wasps involved co-ordinating conditioning and medical departments in order to produce elite athletes and also co-ordinate appropriate playing programmes for players.
In his first year, eight of the senior Academy players played for the 1st XV, four played England Under-20s in the World Cup and one was named IRB Player of the Tournament.
James’ role in AFYA is to lead and coordinate the Training and Development Programmes that are implemented across the AFYA client base. He works closely with the Programme Leaders to help them design and deliver the course content and he ensures that the transition and coordination across the divisions is seamless.
He is also the Programme Leader for the Team Development Programme (TDP).
Our training programmes can be divided into three sections. They can be undertaken individually or as part of an ongoing development programme as we track the children and young athletes through their initial sporting life.
