The Rugby Players Association [RPA] are an organisation who look after the interests and welfare of the players from start to finish.

Through the RPA, Ant Brown was joined by the Newcastle Falcons Academy Boys for this one off cooking skills session to get them prepared for their up and coming season.

There were 9 nine players attending the session accompanied by Mandy Thompson [Player Development Manager] and Academy Manager Mark Laycock.

The boys got the chance to don their aprons and rustle themselves up a couple of appetising dishes and learn some new skills in the kitchen as Ant took them back to basics.

When learning how to care for your body, essential for these athletes, and understanding what is good for us and what isn’t - it pays to know why.

Learning the dishes first hand with a chef in tow made it more likely for the players to get to grips and understand this.

Ant planned the team two quick and easy dishes; Spaghetti and Meatballs and Salmon Teriyaki, that would still provide them with what they needed.

They were led through each step carefully by Ant and all really got involved showing a real desire to learn.

“It was a very enjoyable day, we learnt about all the basic cooking skills and in particular how to maintain a strong and consistent diet” Joe Craggs Newcastle Academy Player

The day wouldn’t have been complete without a little friendly competition between the boys; both dishes were tried and tested by Mark and Ant, with the results being hotly disputed!

‘The Lads have enjoyed a fantastic afternoon with Ant. The opportunity to learn from a professional chef is something very unique and we are extremely grateful to Ant for giving up his time to work with us. Learning vital life skills such as cooking is essential for these young athletes, most of whom are living away from home for the first time. The players really bought in to it and produced a very tasty dinner.’ Mark Laycock Academy Manager.