School of Hard Knocks 2012

[Aedaphon]

Of interest to pretty much any rugby fan out there in my opinion- you can find links to the old series on the Rugbydump website quite easily.

This year's take place in Tottenham, worth a watch if you've never seen it before:

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Love the series - can't wait for the next episode to go up.

Always love when you get some cocky so-and-so acting the big man to Will Greenwood, and then he absolutely ruins them in a contact session.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Watched them all, real quality this season. One of the boys is on a monthly trial with London Welsh.

 

[dullonien]

Recently watched the 2011 series where they were in Croydon. I think it would be a good watch for anyone, whether they like rugby or not, because it shows the value of sports, and how it can instil discipline, teamwork, hard work, and most of all confidence into people who have lacked that whilst growing up. Boxing is already heavily used as a tool to do this, but I feel rugby could be better suited, because it involves more people and adds the teamwork element that boxing lacks.

I was amazed to see how far some of the young adults had come in the space of just 8 weeks, and it was heart warming to see how some of these lads responded to Greenwood and Quinnell's guidance, becoming kind of fatherly figures, something many had obviously never had before. Some of these lads just need someone to believe in them, and that's what this show gave them.

The fact that the majority found work (and good jobs at that), not long after the show ended shows how it impacted their lives.

Enjoyed the first episode of this series as well, should be good.

 

[Nielsch]

Saw the first episode of 2012 and watching series 2011 now. Good show.

 

[Aedaphon]

The second episode of 2012 was released yesterday- it features them training with the Baa Baas for a little which isn't half bad.



Next week they're doing the riot training they did last year... Really looking forward to it, it's so intense to watch. Anyone know how the lad with London Welsh has done for himself since this year's school ended? Also great to see the inclusion of some of last year's boys

 

[TRF_Olyy]

That's my evening sorted

 

[theonlychubbychild]

Does anyone know how many episodes there are because they posted episodes 3 & 4 on RD today with 'finale' written in brackets. It said in the episode that they have another game left and I'm almost certain that every other series has been 6 episodes long, so why cut it short?

 

[Aedaphon]

Does anyone know how many episodes there are because they posted episodes 3 & 4 on RD today with 'finale' written in brackets. It said in the episode that they have another game left and I'm almost certain that every other series has been 6 episodes long, so why cut it short?

From what I can gather it's 4X45 minutes this season as opposed to 6X30 as the past seasons were. Bit of a shame- I quite liked the weekly progression.

Here are videos 3 and 4 for you all anyway- Basically just Olyy

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Yyyeeeessss!
I know what I'm doing after my exam tomorrow! (work for my deadlines on Friday morning....but watching these in between as well )

 

[Aedaphon]

Best series so far in my opinion.... It just gets better and better every year!

 

[dullonien]

Best series so far in my opinion.... It just gets better and better every year!

Yeah, very good series this year. I won't spoil it for anyone who hasn't seen the last couple of episodes yet. 4 episodes was a little short, but it didn't take anything away from the series imo. We still saw the development of the people involved, and still gave us time to connect with them whilst viewing.

The government really should look at this, and learn a thing or two about how to make an impact in deprived areas. Rugby really could be used as a genuine tool in the process of rehabilitating prisoners, or simply helping people to find work. Not just rugby really, but other sports as well, rugby just happens to fit the criteria very well, because it's all revolves around respect, on and off the field, something that's not always present in football or boxing etc.

 

[Aedaphon]

Yeah, very good series this year. I won't spoil it for anyone who hasn't seen the last couple of episodes yet. 4 episodes was a little short, but it didn't take anything away from the series imo. We still saw the development of the people involved, and still gave us time to connect with them whilst viewing.

The government really should look at this, and learn a thing or two about how to make an impact in deprived areas. Rugby really could be used as a genuine tool in the process of rehabilitating prisoners, or simply helping people to find work. Not just rugby really, but other sports as well, rugby just happens to fit the criteria very well, because it's all revolves around respect, on and off the field, something that's not always present in football or boxing etc.

The actual screen time hasn't reduced at all, only the number of episodes. I feel the emotional connection with all the players was heightened a little by the number of episodes being 6 rather than 4 but as long as they keep making the series every year I'll be happy for Sky to choose whatever format they like.

On your second point- absolutely agreed, but you have to take into account the funding and expertise behind a show like this. Obviously not every council can afford to set up a programme with chances to meet and train with professional athletes. I admire Sky Sports for funding such a consistently constructive and entertaining programme but they've got the money to play with for this.

Hopefully if the show gets more attention it'll create more of an impact on policy in the UK and elsewhere. That said, Boris Johnson seemed pretty impressed when he was on the show.

Get sharing everybody

 

[dullonien]

The actual screen time hasn't reduced at all, only the number of episodes. I feel the emotional connection with all the players was heightened a little by the number of episodes being 6 rather than 4 but as long as they keep making the series every year I'll be happy for Sky to choose whatever format they like.

On your second point- absolutely agreed, but you have to take into account the funding and expertise behind a show like this. Obviously not every council can afford to set up a programme with chances to meet and train with professional athletes. I admire Sky Sports for funding such a consistently constructive and entertaining programme but they've got the money to play with for this.

Hopefully if the show gets more attention it'll create more of an impact on policy in the UK and elsewhere. That said, Boris Johnson seemed pretty impressed when he was on the show.

Get sharing everybody

Whilst the opportunity to train with professional athletes certainly helps, especially in fast-tracking the process down to the 8 weeks for this show, it wouldn't be a necessary part imo. That side of things helps draw in the viewers more than anything else. Funding would be an issue, but I'd prefer something like this got funding than some of the other initiatives getting money from the government.

At the moment those on prolonged job-seekers are required to do extra training in an attempt to make them more employable, but in many cases it's just a waisted expense because many are unwilling to learn, or don't have the other required skillsets, or confidence to go along with any new skills learn't. What's obvious from this show is that rugby is a great tool for developing a number of hugely important skills that are directly transferable into real life, and it is these skills that many young people from deprived areas, or troubled families are lacking. Having a C in maths or science means f**k all if a person doesn't have confidence, or the ability to work in a team environment, or any kind of respect for authority. Rugby can develop all of these, and much more.

It would be more cost effective for the government to fund schemes like this, instead of dolling out money to those out of work, or incarcerating an increasing amount of troubled young people.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

As I said watched them as they went up on Sky. Great series and by far the best of the lot.

As for the number of episodes, yes I felt they could have done one more but you only ever feel like that when you have enjoyed something like that so much.