We’re delighted to announce the launch of our new Tight 5 Project, an exciting player development initiative designed for Props, Hookers and Locks looking to elevate their game – with the project receiving the backing of the Scotland National Scrum Coach Pieter de Villiers.
Led by Kev Wyness, Senior Forward Coach and Dameon Chaney, Director of Youth Rugby, in partnership with Richie Gray of GSI Performance and with additional support from The Training Academy, the project will provide specialised coaching tailored to the demands of Tight 5 players.
Pieter De Villiers welcomed the initiative and highlighted the importance of developing Scotland’s next generation of front-row and second-row talent.
“GHA’s “Tight Five Project” is an initiative that the SRU Scrum Department supports wholeheartedly. Scottish tight-five talent is out there waiting to be discovered and grown. The knowledge and dedication of the GHA coaching team will give young players an opportunity to evolve and thrive within Scottish Rugby and build towards making the dream of representing Scotland one day a reality.”
Kev Wyness commented:
“The scrum is one of the most technical contests in rugby, and it’s an area where the right coaching at the right time can make an enormous difference to a player’s development. For too long, Props, Hookers and Locks at grassroots level have had to find their way through those demands without the specialist support these positions genuinely require. The Tight 5 Project gives us the environment and the tools to change that — helping players really understand the technical craft of tight five play and build the physical platform to go with it.”
Dameon Chaney observed:
“This game changing Tight 5 Project is about giving Props, Hookers and Locks the specialist support they need to grow their confidence, technical ability and resilience in these key positions.”
Built around the philosophy of being “Built Different,” the Tight 5 Project recognises that no two players are the same. Rather than following a generic training model, the training is designed to maximise each player’s individual physical attributes, helping them develop playing strategies in a way that best suits their body type, strength and playing position.
As part of the project, the club has recently invested in a new GSI PS-360 Scrum Sled from GSI Performance, which will be a welcome equipment addition to the club that will significantly enhance training. The state-of-the-art sled will enable coaches and players to recreate a wide range of realistic scrum and maul set ups in a controlled environment, allowing players to gain valuable experience that will directly translate to match play.
Richie Gray, Founder, GSI Performance confirmed:
” Having coached both rugby and American football, I know firsthand how much the set piece can define a tight five player’s development — and how little specialist support exists for Props, Hookers and Locks at grassroots level. That’s what makes the Tight 5 Project so worthwhile. GHA are building something that addresses a real gap in the game, and the PS-360 Scrum Sled gives players and coaches the ability to work through the technical demands of the scrum in a way that directly translates to match day. I’m delighted to partner with the club on this — developing and retaining front row players matters for the whole of Scottish rugby, not just one club.”
While led by GHA RFC, the Tight 5 Project will also be open to players from other clubs, creating opportunities for collaboration and wider player development across the grassroots game. Please contact Dameon Cheney, Director of Youth Rugby, on [email protected] if you want to find out more.
With Scottish rugby continuing to face front row player shortages, the Tight 5 Project aims to improve player confidence, technical ability and long term retention by helping Props, Hookers and Locks better understand the demands of their positions and prepare for district, academy and national rugby opportunities.
