What is an England Rugby Academy and what does it do?

‘England Rugby Academy’ is the term used to describe the process supported by the RFU for what will be one of several key stages of player development in the Rugby Football Union’s World Class Performance Plan.  The primary, and at all times central, purpose is to develop better England players.

The England Rugby Academy structure will operate at three levels:

Level 1 will be a National Academy for a select group of up to 60 players mainly in age groups U19-U24.

At Level 2 England Rugby will license a network of regional academies each serving a discreet geographical area of the country and supporting development of up to 300 young athletes in age groups U16-U21.

At Level 3 England Rugby will support each regional academy to work closely with RFU development staff, CBs, clubs and schools to establish a comprehensive programme of talent search and player development at up to forty accredited elite player development centres.

What can the Academy offer me?

A player selected for academy entry will be directed into a personal development programme that is geared primarily to ensuring that his capacities and abilities as a rugby player are maximised.

The athlete will be supported by academy staff, specialist coaches, sports scientists and other specialists appointed by the Academy Manager. All areas of physical, technical, tactical and psychological development will be supported as well as game knowledge (rugby brain) video analysis and a competitive programme appropriate to the player’s development.

How can I qualify for selection to an England Rugby Academy?

Players will be selected from existing club and school structures, county development squads, age group festivals and by direct referral.  Opportunities will be created for entry by late developers and talented athletes from other disciplines.

Players selected to attend an England Rugby Academy must be England qualified and have the potential to play for England. Player potential will be assessed under four main categories:

• Skills and elements of competence
• Fitness
• Tactical and game awareness
• Personal attitude

Players wishing to put themselves forward for selection towards an academy should first be identified within the constituent body development squads run by the RFUs Rugby Development Officers.  Players can be nominated to these squads from any club or school.  Selection will be based on merit.  Those selected must demonstrate the potential to become a professional rugby player and the mental toughness/desire to “be the best”.  Academy athletes will be expected to put “rugby first” and adopt a lifestyle that will enable them to develop into a professional athlete.

Will I still go to school/college?

Yes.  It is vital that you pursue your education as well as your development as a rugby player.  Rugby players retire early (normally in their 30’s) and few will ever earn sufficient not to have to work beyond that.  Injuries too can interrupt your rugby career so it is important to have an alternative career path to turn to.

The best rugby players are those who can apply themselves across a number of disciplines.  Education targets will be set and must be met by all academy athletes.

The England Rugby Academy will ensure that all athletes are able to pursue the core programmes.  This should, in the majority of cases, involve the player in an equivalent of 15 to 20 hours of skills training, technical skills development, conditioning, tactical awareness, and ‘active rest’ each week.  This will normally be delivered during the day at the optimum times for individual player development. In exceptional cases it may be possible to manage this via a mix of evening and weekend sessions with more concentrated programmes planned into school holidays.  England Rugby Academies will develop working partnerships with local specialist sports colleges, further education colleges and schools who will provide the academy athlete with flexible educational support that allows him to put “rugby first” for 2 to 3 hours each day whilst still attending lessons/lectures.

A number of universities and further education colleges have also indicated that a similar flexible approach could be applied to students on either degree or HND courses.  Players in these groups will benefit from working daily with and alongside the clubs first team squad.  This may mean an extension of their degree courses to four or five years, which should be possible with the modular approach to qualifications.

Who will I play for?

The competitive programme for each player in an England Rugby Academy will be personally planned. The Academy Manager working closely with the relevant England coaching staff will advise on a programme of  matches geared to maximise his individual rugby development. Academy players will only be required to play for teams/squads that provide levels of competitive exposure appropriate for this development. This may or may not include playing for teams such as, for example, the player’s school/university, his county or England Schools/Universities. 

Players will have the opportunity to play a minimum of 27 and a maximum of 32 games per season that will include:

• Club first XV games
• Age group matches – against sides from other premier clubs
• Representative matches for England or regional representative sides
• Competitive matches for other local clubs, universities or schools

Will I be able to play for my county team if selected?

Under the long form agreement between the premier club and the RFU, clubs will release players at all level for the following:

• International matches
• Preparation for international matches
• Trials for selection of squads for international matches
• RFU age group development squads/courses.
• Specialist skills development and personal development sessions.

Your programme of matches will be agreed in advance by the Academy Manager and with all others involved

If selected into an academy will I automatically become a professional rugby player and play for England?

No.  There are no guarantees.  Whilst you will be given every assistance, progress through the representative ranks will be down to the speed of your development and your personal drive and ambition.

Selection onto and retention within the academy process will be rigorous and tough.
Entry to the programme will not guarantee a young player’s future indefinitely. Each individual player’s development and progress will be assessed on a regular basis. Retention on the programme will be based upon the progress of the individual against agreed targets and the needs of national squads/teams

Do I have to start at 16?

Players can be selected into the academy at any age between 16 and 21.  Provided that you can meet the selection criteria you can be enrolled at any stage.  But remember, competition for places will be tough and you will need to demonstrate that you have both the potential and the right attitude and application to make it.

What if I haven’t been to a rugby school?

The academy process is open to all players with potential to progress.  No matter what your background.  The programmes are geared to enable you to achieve your potential as a rugby player.  Do not be put off applying because you think you will be overlooked.  Talk to your parents, teacher, or club coach about approaching your local development officer and attend development squad and England Player Development Centre (EPDC) sessions.  If you are already an elite athlete from another sport or just know you have the potential to make it in rugby, give it a go.  We welcome players from all sorts of backgrounds and experience.  All you need is the potential and desire to make it.  If you don’t try it – how will you know?

What will it cost?

All development costs will be met through the Academy which is a partnership between the Club and England Rugby, supported by Sport England Lottery funding.  No athlete will be excluded from an academy for financial reasons.  In some cases additional financial support can be found – talk to your academy manager if you are unsure.

Will I have to leave home/move school?

Wherever possible every attempt will be made to allow you to take advantage of the academy process without either moving house or changing school.  Get your parents to talk it through with your Academy Manager, your Rugby Development Officer and your Head Teacher, so that you can all decide what is best for you.

What is an EPDC and where does it fit in?

Development squads have already been established and operate both CB (county) level and at sub-county level in most areas of the country.  These will be run by CB and development staff and supported by a regional academy.  Within each development squad a small number of players will be identified for individual support by coaches and other staff from one of the England Rugby regional academies. 

This is the beginning of the RFU performance pathway and access will be provided free for talented young players in the U14 to U18 age ranges.  In summary, the EPDCs will:

- enable talented players to develop to their full potential
- identify, encourage and guide the most talented towards enrolment within a Regional Academy
- for the very best, provide access to the National Academy.

EPDCs represent an opportunity for better players enhance their rugby education within the England Rugby programme.  EPDCs will not play matches and players attending EPDC sessions will remain available for all club and school fixtures.

Who will be involved with the EPDCs?

The EPDC group within the CB development squad will comprise around 10/12 players,  primarily in the 14/18 age ranges.  Players will be selected on the basis of demonstrated ability, irrespective of their playing position.  Players will be drawn from across county youth rugby programmes and will be assigned to the nearest EPDC to their home.  It is intended that no player should live further than 30 minutes travelling time from their assigned EPDC.

What will the EPDC programme involve?

The emphasis will be entirely on development and each player will have a programme specifically tailored to his needs.  This will involve, among other things, general and position-specific skills work, conditioning, fitness testing and screening, physiotherapy, dietary and life-style advice.  Each player will be carefully mentored through the programme and will be given regular and detailed updates in respect of his progress.  There will be no competitive playing dimension to the EPDCs’ activities.  The EPDCs will draw their members together for a minimum of 12 sessions per year during the weeks specifically designated for such activities in the Structured Season.  The sessions will probably take place on mid-week evenings (except during school vacations).

Will EPDC players still be available for club/school matches?

Yes!  As stated above, EPDC and CB development squad sessions will take place only within designated slots to avoid cutting across established club and schools fixtures, or county representative activities at all youth levels.  To assist clubs and schools in their planning, EPDC programmes will be published well in advance and rigorously held to.  Should concern arise from any quarter in respect of the demands made of the young players in question, it would always be the intention to address and resolve these in constructive dialogue involving all interested parties - player, parents, club, schools and EPDC Head Coach.  An Academy liaison group will be established to resolve all local issues.

How can parents/coaches find out about the progress of EPDC players?

As stated above, the success or otherwise of this operation will to a significant degree be conditional on the quality of the communication attached to it.  Given that the emphasis is on development it is essential that those most closely involved with the players, their club and school coaches, be kept precisely informed of their progress so as to be able to make the very best use of their developing skills within the context of their team.  Regular reports will be provided, and additionally opportunities will be made for club and school coaches to attend EPDC sessions, both to observe the work being carried out and to further develop their own coaching skills.

What lies beyond the EPDCs?

Each EPDC squad will be linked to an England Rugby Regional Academy.  Players distinguishing themselves through the EPDC process may be given the opportunity to become members of a Regional Academy.  For those choosing this route, the impact is likely to be considerable. In consultation again with all interested parties, flexible study arrangements will be negotiated with the player’s educational institution to allow him both to continue with his studies and also to accommodate and undertake a training and playing schedule devised to best suit his rugby development.

Where can I get answers to any further question?

Speak to your local Academy Manager and or RFU Rugby Development Officer.

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