Leinster Rugby and Syracuse University are delighted to announce Seán O’Brien as the official ambassador for the Leinster Rugby School of Excellence at Syracuse University.
O’Brien is currently the Contact Skills Coach with Leinster Rugby, but as a player, he was one of the finest back row forwards Ireland has ever produced.
He had a stellar playing career, winning four European titles as a Leinster player, being capped 56 times by Ireland and being part of two British and Irish Lions tours, where he won five caps.
O’Brien is now on board as the new ambassador for the Leinster Rugby School of Excellence camp at Syracuse University, which launches this summer and will enable attendees to learn to play rugby the Leinster way, whilst living like professional players for the duration of the camp.
The camp aims to develop smart and skilful rugby players and inspire the mindset and training habits that will help them achieve their full potential, at whatever level they choose to pursue the game.
Leinster Rugby compete in the BKT United Rugby Championship, the Heineken Champions Cup and the Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championships and is one of the most successful rugby clubs in the world, with Leinster players not only representing Ireland and other nations at international level, but also the British and Irish Lions.
The Leinster Rugby School of Excellence at Syracuse University camp will run from 31, July through to 4, August 2023 and is open to boys and girls, aged 13 – 17 and will offer residential and non-residential options in Syracuse University.
Speaking on the announcement, O’Brien said, “I’m very excited to get over to Syracuse University this summer and introducing our Leinster Rugby pathway to the United States.
“The School of Excellence, as a concept, has been going for over twenty five years now and is very well established in Ireland. Every summer, over 1,200 boys and girls learn to play the Leinster way at the camps.
“I look forward to playing a part if how we develop the camps over the coming years, working in tandem with Syracuse University.”
Bob Wilson, head coach of Syracuse University added, “To be working with an ambassador of Seán’s calibre and profile is brilliant for us and launching the School of Excellence program.
“He had tremendous success as a player, and is quickly developing into one of the most promising young coaches in the game.
“We look forward to working with someone of Seán’s renowned status within the rugby world and how brilliant is it for camp attendees to lean on him for his knowledge and expertise? We look forward to working closely with Seán this summer, and beyond, and I know our attendees will be equally excited.”
Leinster Rugby and Syracuse University announced their new partnership earlier this year with the School of Excellence camp being one aspect of the partnership.
Leinster Rugby will also appoint a coach to live and work on campus full-time, offering student athletes attending Syracuse University access to Leinster Rugby coaching and training expertise.
This partnership also provides opportunities for Syracuse students to learn in Leinster’s head office, in addition to exploring exchange opportunities for Irish and Syracuse University students.
Places are limited on the first School of Excellence camp in Syracuse University and those interested are encouraged to sign up early to guarantee a place to train and learn from Seán O’Brien, one of the greats of the game.
Those interested can sign up through leinsterrugby.ie or the following LINK.
