RFU Launches Schools of Rugby for Under 13 to Under 16

The RFU is making sweeping changes to the way young English players are developed by announcing the introduction of a new coaching structure designed to drive up standards in the sport.      

Twenty eight Constituent Body Schools of Rugby will be established throughout the country at the start of next season to deliver a new core curriculum for Under-13 to Under-16 players.    The key focus of the CB Schools of Rugby is on increasing skill levels and game understanding in young players who will work with Regional Academy staff and CB accredited coaches.

RFU Director of Academies Conor O’Shea said today: “For the first time in English rugby we are producing a core curriculum for young players which is all about skills and game understanding.    The whole programme must be high quality in terms of the players selected, the coaches who deliver the instruction and the facilities and ancillary services available. We will be selecting the top 15 to 25 players in each of the four age groups in each county for the programme.     “The outcome will be generations of well tutored and skilled rugby players, some of whom will go on to play international rugby and become professional players; some of whom will play in the Community Game, driving up standards and skill levels throughout the sport.”

The new system will replace the existing CB development squads and England Player Development Centres and shift the emphasis from preparation for county matches – although these will still form part of the programme – to skills and game understanding.

The 14 Regional Academies – based at the 12 Guinness Premiership clubs, at Leeds Tykes and in the South West – will be closely involved in the programme from the outset, providing coach mentoring and tutoring, physiotherapy back-up, and ensuring the quality of player selection and programme delivery.

The core curriculum is being developed by Kevin Bowring, the Head of Elite Coach Development, and the National Academy coaching team in consultation with Evan Crawford, the Head of Coach Development in the Community Rugby department.    Due to be completed shortly, it includes a written resource and a DVD that will be used by School of Rugby Coaches and made available to the whole game.   Handling skills, continuity and defence form its key components while young athletes in the CB Schools of Rugby will also receive lifestyle tuition covering topics such as diet and nutrition, mental preparation and injury prevention.

View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon