The Wild Rugby Academy is a German rugby union institution in Heidelberg, focused on the development of the sport in the region and Germany.W.R.A. website - What is the Wild Rugby Academy? accessed: 7 March 2009Die Wucht der Gegner Sueddeutsche Zeitung - Article on the German rugby team, published: 12 February 2008, accessed: 7 March 2009 One of its main aims is to develop players for Germany to be able to participate in the 2015 Rugby World Cup,"Wild Rugby Academy" soll Rugbysport in Deutschland fördern DOSB website, published: 25 February 2008, accessed: 7 March 2009Talent pool booms abroad The Coffs Coast Advocate, published: 31 December 2008, accessed: 7 March 2009 as well as to establish a German team in the European Challenge Cup, the Wild Titans by 2010.W.R.A. website - Aims accessed: 7 March 2009 The later plan was delayed but a German team is now scheduled to enter the competition from 2011, alongside other academy teams from Russia, Spain and Georgia.Sechs Talente zum Lernen nach Südafrika totalrugby.de, published: 20 February 2009, accessed: 23 March 2010
History The academy was named after its founder, the German entrepreneur Hans Peter Wild.W.R.A. website - History accessed: 7 March 2009 He originally conceived the idea in May 2007 and the academy was established in October of the same year.
The academy aims to import expertise from the more developed rugby nations in order to improve the game in Germany. It started out with an under-19 group which was later followed by an under-21 group, and draws young players from the Frankfurt, Heusenstamm and Heidelberg area, targeting clubs and schools. In 2008, the academy "decided to become more professional" and employed a new manager and coach.Wild Rugby Academy, History of the W.R.A., retrieved 19 March 2009.
In November 2008, the academy embarked on its first tour, traveling to England to play two matches.W.R.A. website - WILD RUGBY ACADEMY UK TOUR REPORT – NOVEMBER 2008 accessed: 7 March 2009 In March 2009, an academy team, the Wild Titans, will be traveling to Hong Kong for a tournament. Mustafa Güngör and Benjamin Danso, two current German internationals, are part of the 15 selected players for the tournament.W.R.A. website - Wild Titans start their preparation for 2009 Hong Kong 10s accessed: 7 March 2009Skinstad to spearhead South African challenge at GFI HKFC Tens published: 17 February 2009, accessed: 7 March 2009
Aims and achievements The academy aims to develop the game of rugby union in Germany, by awarding scholarships to young and senior players. It also plans to assist in the development of coaches and referees. The main goals of the academy are: to establish a German team in the European Challenge Cup, the Wild Titans. It hopes to achieve this by 2010.W.R.A. website - W.R.A. 2008-2010 accessed: 7 March 2009 This is now scheduled to happen in 2011. to develop players for Germany to be able to participate in the 2015 Rugby World Cup. The academy has the support of the German Rugby Federation, which hopes to establish a similar institution in the north of Germany.
Christopher Liebig was the first player trained with the academy to make a debut for Germany, in its game against Portugal in February 2009.Wild Rugby Academy, Under 21 team list, retrieved 19 March 2009.Rugby365, Portugal expected to beat Germany, 19 February 2009, retrieved 19 March 2009.
In 2018, the academy's scope was significantly curtailed, as Dr. Wild shifted his focus away from German rugby in the wake of the "Rugbystreit" (The "Rugbystreit" in German Rugby.), 17 June 2018, retrieved 22 August 2019.
Staff The W.R.A. employees a number of staff for coaching purposes:W.R.A. website accessed: 13 December 2010 Frederik Jakobus Potgieter, Head of Operations Alexander Wiedemann, Team & Project Manager
References
External links Official website