Do you have the mental attitude and physical stamina to be a top sportsperson?

A pioneering new concept in athlete development hit Wales this week, brought to the UK by Under Armour, the WRU’s American based kit supplier.

Under Armour and sports marketing firm IMG have got together to develop a sport-specific testing programme called a ‘Combine’, which is used in the USA to evaluate and develop young athletes across a number of sports including tennis at the Nick Bolletteri Tennis Academy, basketball, baseball, American football, soccer and golf.

The Combine is a high-impact, all-action day of physical and cognitive testing and skills development. The programme was developed as part of Under Armour’s mission to “make all athletes better through passion, science and the relentless pursuit of innovation”.

Key areas of the testing include looking at areas of the young person’s character which all have an important impact on whether a player can maximise his or her potential. These include attitude, composure, effort, ‘coachability’, confidence and concentration; their knowledge of good diet and the importance of good nutrition; honesty and communication skills.

Building on the Combine platform developed by Under Armour and IMG, Under Armour and the WRU have now developed a rugby specific Combine which is now being rolled out across Wales.

All District Under 15 players in Wales are currently being tested this week and next – the roadshow started in Cardiff on Tuesday for all District Under 15 players in the Blues region, then moved onto Ebbw Vale on Wednesday, Swansea on Thursday and Carmarthen on Friday. Next Sunday will be the turn of north Wales youngsters with a Combine for Under 15 District players from the region taking place in Colwyn Bay.