Academy
Where – Either Leicester on Monday or Friday evenings both at England Rugby (AGP), Leicester Forest, LE3 3PJ, or Nottingham, on Friday evenings at Gresham Sports Park (AGP), West Bridgford, NG2 7YF, You will attend one evening a week.
When – 17.30 – 19.00 each week. The Academy is a 42-week programme delivered (Sep-July) in 6 x7-week training blocks.
Cost – The cost of a place in the Academy will be £16.50 per session (1 session per week), which will be invoiced in 7 week blocks and paid in advance of each block.
Kit – Each Academy player will have their own bespoke Academy kit. This will consist of a playing shirt, shorts, socks & water resistant drill top, the cost of which will paid for by the individual. This kit is purchased directly with the supplier via our online shop accessed via our website. A full range of additional Academy kit items will be available to purchase. Please note that the kit is not a requirement.
Age groups – U11s - U16s (boys)
Places on the Academy – Numbers are limited. Once full, new players will join the waiting list to trial.
Academy purpose – The purpose of the Academy is to provide players with Professional Coaching and support with their playing ambitions, whether that be elite, national, local or university level. One of our objectives is to help players gain invitations to DPP programmes, however, we are also here to support those who are not selected or even de-selected. Please note that a player can be in both programmes at the same time.
The Academy programme - The Academy offers a 1st class Talent Development Programme, with Professional Coaching providing the opportunity to develop, not only, the Tactical & Technical aspects of the game, but also, the Physical (Strength & Conditioning) and psychological characteristics required to play at a higher level.
Will it conflict with club activity? We have no intention of taking players away from their clubs and there will be no expected priority to the Academy, nor would this affect a player’s ability to be selected or maintain a place in the Academy. We currently run 3 Academy training evenings, so that players can avoid a clash with their club training.
Selection criteria – The selection criteria is based on attitude, mind-set and commitment to getting better. We are not only looking at players’ current performance levels, however we are looking for highly motivated individuals. Players will be assessed throughout each 7-week block, to ensure that the above criteria remain positive. A place on the following block will only be offered to those that continue to meet the selection criteria.
Pete Talbot – Founder & Director