On the Ground with The Rugby Trainer: Ben John

Not many sportsmen would have the goal of helping at least one player every day to improve their game but that is what Ben John aims to do through the The Rugby Trainer Academy.  Since 2020, after suffering concussion in 2018, the Academy has been the focus of the former Ospreys player and with 192k followers on Instagram and over 205k followers on TikTok he is certainly making the world of rugby improve for many players.  Since we have a bespoke Zpurs version just for the Rugby Trainer, we thought we would catch up with Ben and find out some more from him...

You’ve had an amazing career with Ospreys spanning 9 years, What do you think were the most critical elements that enabled you that success?

 The three key elements that helped me become a professional rugby player are:

1. My Friendship Group: As a youngster, my close friends were obsessed with sport. We played every sport under the sun and spent hours getting better. I was lucky to have friends who were high-level athletes, and we pushed each other to improve. Though we were mates, we always wanted to beat one another. I had two groups of friends: those from my Welsh school and those outside school. My local friends included a Welsh rugby international, a semi-professional rugby player, an age-grade county cricketer, and a surfer for Wales. My school friends included two professional rugby players, a professional footballer, a Commonwealth Games representative, and an Olympic swimmer. Being surrounded by high-level sportspeople was incredibly motivating.
2. My Coaches: I was fortunate to have encouraging and inspiring coaches at both my school and club. They pushed us but also supported us, always aiming to help us play with a smile while teaching fundamental skills that stuck with me throughout my career.
3. My Parents and Family Support: My parents were incredibly supportive, taking my siblings and me to various training sessions and sacrificing their time and money to drive us around. Whether it was cricket, athletics, football, or rugby, they encouraged us to enjoy, experience, and express ourselves every day.

I feel that the combination of these three factors massively helped me build the foundations to become a professional player.

What made rugby special to you?

Rugby was special to me because it was the best way I could express myself. From the running element to the contact side, it offers a great mix of putting your body on the line while showcasing subtle, silky skills. I always loved finding ways to break down the opposition by working as a team. And the friends you make in rugby are something special. There's nothing quite like standing side by side, sharing experiences in such a physical sport.

If you could give any youngster advice on pursuing rugby professionally what would it be?

Yes, dream big!  Dream about playing for your international team, but be in the moment. Focus on being the best player you can be here and now.  Are you doing your extra skill sessions? Are you watching rugby and learning the laws? Are you asking coaches and more experienced players for tips and advice?  Play with freedom and express yourself on the pitch!

Who are your biggest inspirations?

My biggest inspirations in sport where, Brett Lee - cricketer, James Hook -Wales, Ronaldinho - footballer; they all played give everything to try to win but also played it their way but always  had time to smile! And I love that. 

How can you fit training around a busy career and family life?

I always train in the mornings, so I get up at 0530, gym at 0630, then my day would start at 0830-0900 ready for the day ahead. I will also try and get out if I’m on a laptop all day. So I book in a 30min walk lunchtime to stretch the legs and get the mind to freshen up. I would put a lock on my phone so I can’t use it before 0800 in the morning, it then locks down again at 2000. This helps me to have a good relationship with the devices and helps me with sleep quality.

You run the Rugby Trainer Academy.  Tell us more about that.

The Rugby Trainer Academy is an online platform dedicated to helping players and coaches improve their rugby skills. We offer a variety of programmes and plans suitable for all ages and levels. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced player, we've got something to help you elevate your game.

I've had the privilege of working with some of the best players and rugby brands in the world, including England Rugby, World Rugby, Umbro Rugby, Sam Warburton's SW7 Academy, and England international Vicky Fleetwood. At the Academy, we aim to share this wealth of knowledge and experience with our members.

Our mission is to provide accessible, high-quality training that players can follow at their own pace. We cover everything from fundamental skills to advanced techniques, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential. It's all about fostering a love for the game and helping each player become the best they can be.

And...

How do you find Zpurs useful in your routine?

The clips I use on all my rugby boots. I have all my boots hanging on the inside of a cupboard door using the Zpurs clips, I find it makes it so much easier keeping them together, and off the floor, I find it helps with drying them too. I then attach them to my bag to and from training which helps keep my bag clean, honestly I love them!