Jason Robinson .:. HSBC, the principal partner of the British and Irish Lions Tour to South Africa 2009.

Jason Robinson

Jason Robinson is one of four of HSBC's very own Lions Ambassadors and will be fronting the HSBC Rugby Festivals programme in the lead up to and during the 2009 British & Irish Lions Tour to South Africa. Here is an insight into where his rugby journey began...

School rugby honours: Cross Flatts Park Middle School, Matthew Murray High School, Hunslow Boys Club

Professional honours: Wigan, Bath, Sale, England and the British & Irish Lions.

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Tips for Kids

- Just do the best you can do and believe in yourself.
- Give 100% in practice sessions as well as in games.
- Support and encourage your teammates.
- Listen to your coaches and teachers they can help to improve your skills and techniques.
- Watch your favourite players and get inspired!

Tips for Coaches

- A good warm up is important to get the heart rate up, to warm the muscles and get focused on the session ahead.
- Try to make the coaching sessions fun for everyone - use game based drills and let the kids play.
- Plan the sessions, for today and for long term. Think about what you want your players to achieve at the end of the season, there should be a progression. The children should set goals too, short, medium and long term, so they know they have arrived.
- Make sure your training sessions are adaptable for mixed abilities of the children
- Whatever level you play at from school level to playing for the British & Irish Lions, the basic drills are the same!

Jason Robinson Interview

How did you get into rugby? It is amazing really, because no one else in my family was interested in sport. At my Middle school I played football, cricket and tennis. Rugby was not the main sport at school, but I came across it and over the years it gripped me. I was small and rugby is a physical game. But it's great because players work together, for each other. I had a humble beginning as a young guy with no idea of the game and with help and encouragement from teachers, worked my way to being professional in both Rugby League and Rugby Union.

Why did you choose rugby? I enjoyed it for the teamwork and the discipline. When I was younger I was a shy lad, so a team sport that gave me an opportunity to work with other people made a massive difference. I appreciated seeing how other people work.

What has rugby given you over the years? Playing rugby has given me opportunities that I never thought would be possible. When I was younger I had dreams of becoming a professional rugby player. When it happened, it took my life to new level. I have travelled all over world and competed against the very best with England and the British & Irish Lions. I played in three Rugby World Cups, and luckily we won one of them!

Favourite Rugby Memory? - It has to be the 2003 Rugby World Cup. We played Australia in final, I scored a try and we came back with the trophy!

What or who was your insipiration at school? It has to be my teachers and coaches - Mr Aspinall and Mr Ball. Both had such a huge passion for the game of rugby. For me that is so important because coaches that are enthusiastic will filter that down to their students. When our school first started playing rugby, sometimes we couldn't get enough players and often we were getting beaten badly. In that situation it would have been easy to walk away. But dedication, turning up to practice in the rain, sleet, snow... led ultimately to playing with and against the best players in the world.

What tips would you give to young rugby hopefuls? Work to make sure you get the basics right. I certainly didn't start fast with a side step! It is exactly the same at school as when you play for England or the Lions. You have to do the basics and do them well - the thrills and spills then come naturally!