Each of the eight regions holds qualifying tournaments before Christmas to select for the National Championships each Easter, a weekend event which attracts more than 1500 students and staff taking part in 12 different sports. The 2002 sevens event was won by Coleg Sirgar, Llanelli, who beat Colchester 6th Form College in the final. The knockout cup at Under 19 level was also won by Coleg Sirgar, victors this time over East Durham and Houghall College.

Every year students can gain representative recognition by playing for their regions and from there represent English Colleges. BCS is keen to work alongside the RFU and ensure that students are not overplayed and the representative programme is carefully planned not to interfere with RFU selection. After discussions with Mark Harrington, RRDM for the South West, and Andrew Scoular, Head of Rugby Development, BCS will be orgainsing divisional leagues and a divisional championship next season.

Martin Tucker, Director of Sport at Truro College and England Colleges Team Manager said, “This is an exciting time for rugby within British Colleges and more specifically in England. The whole of our system is being set up to increase the number of students playing the game within the 16-19 age range where there is a large drop-off in people playing.”

There will be ten teams in the South West League next year, which is a good take up in the first year. However, the South West Committee are keen to ensure that all rugby players get the opportunity to play and it is envisaged that the smaller or non rugby playing colleges will be encouraged to take part in future years. An important part of the scheme will be the tracking of players and British Colleges is keen to have a system whereby colleges are aware of exit routes for players both at local clubs and in university.

The RFU’s Rugby Development Officers also have plans this year to organise local festivals of modified games for non-rugby playing colleges, with funding from the Community Rugby budget.

For further information on British Colleges Sport or Colleges Rugby, please contact John Hole at Yeovil College on 01935 845414 or email johnh@yeovil-college.ac.uk.