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Legends Academy
Ambitious young Scot plots own course
If single-mindedness alone could guarantee international honours then Ross Doneghan is a certainty to play rugby for Scotland in the next few years. The 20-year-old from Linlithgow, led the Border Bulldogs under-21 side to a 21-15 win on Saturday.
The 20-year-old from Linlithgow, who was schooled at Stewart's-Melville College, led the Border Bulldogs under-21 side to a 21-15 win in Saturday's derby meeting with Eastern Province which kicked off their South African inter-provincial championship campaign. He had taken over the captaincy when his captain was injured in the first half.
Yet this is a player who could easily have lost interest in the sport when he was overlooked by the Scottish academy coaches last year.
It was not as if he could be chippy about it and feel hard done by on the basis of any lack of opportunity. Indeed, his brother, Michael, has since been given that academy chance.
When he missed out, though, Doneghan's only thought was to ensure he did not fall further behind the chosen few. Central to achieving that was to make sure his training programme was the equivalent of that undertaken by all other aspiring professionals.
The key advice came from Hugh Campbell, the former Scotland forwards coach who, after his stint as Glasgow Warriors' head coach, was still on the SRU staff until last year.
Campbell's scrummaging expertise has led him to develop close links with South African rugby down the years and he identified a route that would give Doneghan a chance to keep his dreams alive.
"We discussed the options available to me," Doneghan explained. "One of those was applying to an academy abroad. My lifetime goal is to play for Scotland, so Iam totally committed to do anything that will help get closer to achieving that.
"I watch and study Super 14 regularly, in particular players in my position. MrCampbell suggested that Iapply to the Legends Academy in South Africa that had just opened up."
After firing off his cv and a DVD of his performances to John Allan, the chief executive of the South African Rugby Legends, Doneghan was invited to meet the former Scotland and Springboks hooker.
"He said he was impressed with my DVD and my sheer determination to succeed. Ihad been advised by coaches here in Scotland and in South Africa that it would be a tough challenge but an amazing experience which would stay with me forever. Iwas totally up for it," said Doneghan.
Based in East London, the capital of Border province, he was the lone foreigner in the squad when, after raising some £2000 in funding, he joined last summer, and he was initially given a year to prove himself.
"In my first few months there Iwas made captain of the Legends academy team and also the Selbornian Old Boys' Club under-21s and, in June, Iwas told Ihad made it into the training squad for the province-wide Border Bulldogs U21s," he said.
"I have also been offered another year at the Legends Academy. Training under some of South Africa's best coaches is fantastic. The inspiration Ireceive is invaluable.
"My fitness levels are better than ever, my skills improve daily and my reading of the game has become so sharp. My self-discipline and control have also improved.
"I am always ready and willing to make the sacrifice that will improve my game. This is something Ihave improved on since arriving in East London.
"At the end of the season a small group of players from the academy will be chosen to attend the Dick Muir Investec Academy, a prestigious training academy for the whole of South Africa. Iam aiming for selection."
Doneghan knows he is far from alone as an individual who has been missed by the Scottish domestic system, but he still believes he can make it. Consequently, he is strongly supportive of plans to set up asimilar academy in Scotland.
"I believe Scotland would benefit. There must be other guys out there who perhaps didn't get picked up at school or club but still have potential," he said.
"There are always the late developers in the game who deserve a chance. An academy set-up like this in Scotland would give guys that chance."
In the meantime, he does not hesitate in recommending the route he has taken to others.
"This is one decision Iwill never regret," he said. "The opportunities that are there are great, but only those with sheer guts and determination and who show commitment, dedication and a desire to play and improve their game will succeed.
"It's no walk in the park and in order to get anywhere you must be willing to make those sacrifices which no-one else will make."
Published in The Herald Scotland