Wallabies legend Campese returns to KL for youth rugby clinic

PETALING JAYA: Rugby legend David Campese will be in Kuala Lumpur from Jan 17 to 18 together with three other former international players for a special clinic organised by the Asia Pacific Lions (APL).

The two-day programme, set to take place at the RSC Sports Annexe in Bukit Kiara, is open to participants aged six to 17 across four age groups.

Children aged six to eight and nine to 11 will train in the morning, while those in the 12 to 14 and 15 to 17 groups will attend the afternoon sessions.

APL said the clinic offers more than basic skills training, adding that it gives young players a rare chance to learn from some of the sport’s true greats.

Campese, now 63, is regarded as one of the most exciting players to have represented the Wallabies. He also helped Australia win the bronze medal in rugby sevens at the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games.

Joining him for the clinic are Linda Itunu, a former Black Fern and four-time Rugby World Cup winner; Jamie Henry, a former Japan international and Mark Jeffreys, a former Junior Welsh player who now serves as Chair of British Squash.

Aside from sessions for young players, APL will also run a Coach-the-Coach programme and a Performance Leadership workshop for local coaches as part of efforts to raise coaching standards and encourage knowledge-sharing across the Asia Pacific region.

The initiative is part of APL’s push to promote a team of elite Asia Pacific players to take on English Premiership clubs in Sri Lanka, while also exploring the possibility of hosting future matches in Malaysia.