The Free Jacks Academy embarked on another landmark trip this July and August, taking 28 high school players from across New England on a high-performance rugby tour to Wales.

The squad was based at Christ College Brecon — a phenomenal private boarding school in the heart of mid Wales, about an hour outside Cardiff. The Free Jacks organization is incredibly grateful to Christ College for their outstanding hospitality and for granting us access to world-class facilities and pristine grass surfaces.

After shaking off the inevitable jet lag, the team enjoyed a behind-the-scenes visit to the Bristol Bears High Performance Centre — a state-of-the-art facility built in 2020 packed with cutting-edge features designed to enhance player performance and recovery. The visit concluded with an inspiring address from Bristol Bears Director of Rugby Pat Lam, who wished the team luck for the tour — a special moment that provided an extra spark for the matches ahead.

With no time to waste after settling into our home for the week, the team hit the field for a light captain’s run in preparation for our opening match against Christ College Brecon the following day. There were plenty of nerves in the group, but they were far outweighed by the feeling of excitement. In keeping with tradition, the evening saw a special jersey presentation take place — always a proud and memorable moment for players as they receive their game jerseys.

Match One: Junior Jacks – 42 Christ College Brecon – 19

Game One was upon us, and it was a beautiful afternoon in Brecon for some free-flowing rugby. A great crowd of locals packed the sideline, curious to watch some Americans play the game. The first 30 minutes were neck-and-neck, with both teams trading blows and laying their bodies on the line. It took a piece of individual brilliance from Gavin McNicholl to open the scoring for the Junior Jacks after a fantastic chase off of a clearance exit kick. That moment clicked the attack into gear, leading to a series of well-worked team tries. The Junior Jacks’ physicality and relentless line speed on defense proved too much for the home side, as the boys were able to turn defensive pressure into points. A special shoutout goes to the reserves, who did a brilliant job coming off the bench to help close out the game. 

Following our first fixture, the next day was all about enjoying a well-earned sleep-in before taking on the Brecon River for a spot of leisurely kayaking. While the activity certainly tested the patience of some — with a few “man overboards” along the way — the team completed the journey and returned to our accommodation for some free time. That evening brought another jersey presentation, this time ahead of our big clash against the Welsh Select Side, made up of players from local independent schools. The coaching staff rotated the whole roster for this game ensuring that every player got the opportunity to start a match. 

Match Two: Junior Jacks – 42 Welsh Selects – 29

Game Two dawned on another beautiful morning in Brecon as the boys geared up for their second match against an unpredictable Welsh Selects side. The invitational team struck first, using some crafty play from their number 10 to build early momentum and jump out to a 17–0 lead in the opening 30 minutes. But true to their never-say-die attitude — and under the leadership of captain Billy Hendrickson — the Junior Jacks dug deep, producing massive defensive stands to wrestle back control of the match. The second and third quarters told a different story, with the forwards laying a powerful platform through hard carries and physical dominance. This set the stage for multiple trips across the white line, turning the tide firmly in our favor.

Both games were the result of complete team efforts and served as a strong reflection of how hard this group has worked at training — and how well they’ve connected as a team, on and off the field. 

Our final day in Wales brought a spot of shopping and sightseeing in Cardiff, which was thoroughly enjoyed after a big rugby week.

The Free Jacks Academy would like to say a massive thank you to all coaches for volunteering their time to provide such a memorable experience for our players. Captain Gavin McNicholl reflects on his experience, “I enjoyed representing the Free Jacks in Wales and I learned a lot from the coaching staff. I also grew as a leader from the experience since I was one of the captains.” 

A huge thank you also goes to the players and parents for joining in on this journey — here’s to many more tours to come!

Stay up to date with our latest signings and all Free Jacks news by subscribing to our new and improved weekly news letter!

For more opportunities to engage with the Free Jacks community, stay updated on future Free Jacks matches, festivals, and announcements through the Free Jacks’ news page: www.freejacks.com/news