If youwould like anymore information regarding the Player Development Programme (PDP) please contact RichardBryan
on
020 3053 6673.
Hipkisswho has a successful cookery background, havingworked for The Bertinet
Kitchen in Bath, ran theworkshop to enhance and develop cooking skills among the
Academy squad and also to provoke an interest for life after rugby.
Organised in conjunctionwith the RPA’s Player Development Programme (PDP),
Danwho nowworks for Stonewood Builders, worked closelywith Saracens’ Player
DevelopmentManager, CarolineGuthrie, to inspire and engage the players to try their
own hand at cooking.
Theworkshop held at Saracens Academy House, beganwithDan taking the group
through a knife and cooking skills session before encouraging the players tohelp
prepare and cook threemain dishes; Chicken thighs in turmeric, ginger andgarlic,
Hanger Steak and Salad andHanger SteakCasserole.
Saracens Academy back-rower, Hayden Thompson-Stringer was one player who
thoroughly enjoyed the experience: “Hearing fromDan and learning about cooking
was a perfect opportunity for the squad to get away from the rugby pitch and
concentrate on something else. It’s obviously very different towhat we normally do, so
it was nice for all of us to be doing something together that also helps our ambitions
off the pitch.”
GeorgeMorgan, Nutritionist for Saracens, said: ‘Honestly it was the best athlete
cooking lesson I have ever been at and reinforced all the pointswe have been
educating the lads on this season. Andmost importantly the boys enjoyed it and took
something away.”
Hipkiss said: “It was a brilliant workshop, not just because of the delicious food on
offer but also because of the commitment and determination shown by all the players
in attendance. I was particularly impressed by the level of enthusiasm displayedwhen
it came to cooking the three dishes. Theywere all putting their hand up to help and
were keen to learnmore about the ingredients and procedure for each dish.”
The players in attendance includedHayden Thompson-Stringer, Nathan Earle, Biyi
Alo, Titi Lamositele,MaxWilkins, George Perkins and TomGriffiths.
After being forcedout of thegamedue to injury in 2010,
former Newcastle Falcons forward andRPAAlumnimember,
AndyBuist, has returned tohis old club tooversee the
city’s 2015RugbyWorldCup involvement.With this inmind
we recently caught upwithAndy to chat all things RPA
Alumni, his new rolewithNewcastle andhis predictions
for theupcomingWorldCup.
AndyBuist
EyesNewcastle
WorldCupSuccess
The Falcons Legends vs SouthernHemisphere charitymatchwill takeplaceon Friday
2ndOctober, if any former professional players are interested inbeing involved, please
contact Andy Buist on
rpaalumni
FirstlyAndy,
as anRPA
Alumni
Member,
how
important
do you
believe it is
for former players togiveback to thegame?
I believe it’s essential and a key responsibility for
any RPAAlumni Member. Themore players that
lend a hand and give back to the game, the better
off thewhole sport will be. Obviously a lot of
players end up in coaching or Director of Rugby
roles at schools andwhat not, however I strongly
believe any sort of involvement will benefit the
game in such a strongway. If you’re an ex-player
andwant to get back involved, speak toMandy
Thompson from the RPA and use your expertise
and knowledge to help others succeed.
Canyou explainwhat your newposition at
Newcastle actually involves?
Well my official title is RugbyWorldCup Events
Officer, and I work for bothNewcastle Falcons
andNewcastleCity Council. I am responsible for
maximising the impact of the 2015 RugbyWorld
Cup on theNewcastle and surrounding area and
making sure that the community gains the best
possible coverage from the event. I will be running
a series of eventswhichwill coincidewith the three
matches played in the city andwhichwill raise
money for the Falcons’ Community Foundation, a
charitywhich helps to improve rugby in the area.
Whatwas theprocess youwent through to
gain the job?
Newcastle has always been a very proud sporting
city, with a rich history of hostingmajor sporting
events and I think they got to the point where
theywanted to capitalise on that success. They
set up this job packagewith the intention of
gaining the best possible legacy from the event.
Therefore I applied andwent through the usual
interview process and luckily I was offered the
role. As a former player of the club, I strongly
believe I’mmore than suitable to take the role
forward, especiallywith the eventswe’re planning,
such as the Falcons Legends Game, I can contact
my former teammates quite easily to get them
involved.
Can yougiveus an ideaof howdifficult itwas
being forced to retire at such a young agedue
to injury?
It was extremely tough and I’m sure a lot of the
playerswho have gone through the same thing
would understand. I was 24 at the time and really
starting to hitmy peak, but unfortunately it just
wasn’t to be. However as crushing as the blow
was, I learnt an awful lot from the experience and
came through the other side a stronger person.
In saying thatweunderstand you’replaying
local rugby, does thatmean you’reon your
wayback to theAviva Premiership?
Asmuch as I’d love to, I can’t see that happening
(laughs)! However I am playing formy local
National One League team, Tynedale, thanks to
a few developmentswithmy kneewhich have
allowedme to have a run around over the last year
and not feel too restricted.
Finallywho’s your early tip for theRugby
WorldCup?
Well withmy heart it’s got to be the English!
I think they’re starting to play some impressive
rugby and I think at home in front of their own
fans, the title is theirs to lose.
If you’re a former playerwhowould like
to signup as anRPAAlumniMember
please contactMandy Thompsonon
07889 601 709
DanHipkiss delivers
cookingmasterclass
toSaracensAcademy
Former BathRugby, Leicester Tigers and
England centre, DanHipkiss, recently visited
SaracensAcademy todeliver a kitchen
skills session.
Itwasabrilliant
workshop, not just
becauseofthe
deliciousfoodonoffer
butalsobecauseof
thecommitmentand
determinationshown
byalltheplayers in
attendance
RPA player development programme
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RPA
.co.uk
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RPA
.co.uk
