Following a review of the Performance Development Academies (PDA’s), the RFUW will be implementing some changes to the PDA programme for 2005.

Since their inception in 2000, many players have progressed along the RFUW pathways, using the PDA’s to springboard themselves into the Super 4 and England squads.

The PDA’s in 2005 will once again provide players with an opportunity to develop skills, learn new techniques and practices, train with likeminded players and develop rugby players on and off the pitch. Furthermore the PDA’s will act as a selection tool for the Super 4 trials/Super 4’s for the September 2005 and England representative squads for the 2005/06 season.

The PDA’s have traditionally been operated from early June, bi-weekly, through to the end of July. One fundamental change for this season (and possibly future seasons) is that the PDA’s will be held over 2 weekends during the summer at 3 venues across the country.

(Venues have been sourced that would serve players located in throughout the country)

Venues

• Worcester University College
• Nottingham University
• St Mary’s College, Twickenham

Dates

• 18^th & 19^th June
• 16^th & 17^th July

Who will attend?

An additional change for 2005 is that there will be no trials for the PDA’s. Players will be invited directly from the RFUW.

All Junior England Squad (Academy/Students/U19’s) players will be invited to attend the PDA’s by the RFUW.

N.B The 44 players from this season’s England Squad will not be attending the PDA’s.

Furthermore, linking into the RFUW 2005 Senior Regional Programme, all senior regional coaches will be asked to nominate 10 players from each senior squad to attend the PDA’s – nominated players will be invited directly by the RFUW.

For those players who have not been involved with the Junior England Squads and the Regional Programme, there are opportunities for players to attend through ‘Wildcards’. The RFUW will be asking club and university coaches for recommendations and nominations of players who they consider are talented and would benefit from attending the PDA’s. Once received, players will be invited directly by the RFUW.

Wild Card Form

Delivery

Coaching at all PDA’s over both weekends, will focus on core skill development, (passing, decision making, defence) positional skill development and game understanding. Coaching sessions will be delivered by high quality, experienced coaches.

The new format will also allow for the delivery of Strength and Conditioning and Nutritional workshops. Using the facilities at each of the 3 venues, qualified fitness and nutritional experts will deliver practical sessions to all players, providing advice on training techniques methods as well as information on hydration, what to eat before training/match and what to eat and drink post training.

Accommodation

Accommodation for all attending PDA players is available at all 3 venues if required.

For all players who require accommodation, with the exception of lunch on Saturday, meals will be provided. Accommodation will be on a dinner, bed, breakfast, lunch basis.

Costs

There will be an administration fee of £15 for each PDA weekend – this fee includes lunch on each Sunday.

For players who require overnight accommodation, the administration fee will be £30 per weekend - Accommodation will be on a dinner, bed, breakfast, lunch basis.

U17’s

As a part of commitment to developing U17 players, some of whom may make the transition to senior rugby, U17 regional players will be invited to attend the PDA’s for 1 day over the weekends only (Sunday).

As the number of PDA’s does not correlate to the number of Regional U17 teams, regional U17 coaches will be asked to recommend 10 players from their regional squads. Players will be invited directly to attend to PDA’s by the RFUW.

Delivery of the U17 PDA’s will run alongside the senior PDA programme.

Summery

• No trials – players invited directly from the RFUW
• Wild Cards available for players who have not attended Regional Rugby or are
• Training will take place on both Saturday and Sunday of both weekends
• Accommodation available for all players if required
• Breakfast will be provided to all players staying overnight
• Lunch will be provided on the Sunday(s) to all attending players
• PDA’s format will consist of
• Core skills development
• Game Understanding
• Strength & Conditioning workshops
• Nutritional workshops
• High quality, experienced coaches delivering throughout the PDA programme
• Managers and Physiotherapists at each venue
• U17’s from Regional Programme will be invited to attend on each ‘PDA Sunday’ (running alongside the senior PDA’s)