Education and Rugby
Education and Rugby
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Education and Rugby
E
ducation and rugby in this country have been closely linked
for many years with a huge number of people benefitting from
playing sport whilst studying. The quality of sport on offer in our
educational establishments has improved significantly in recent years
and with this in mind we recently caught up with Mark Saltmarsh,
Head of Education Development at the RFU.
Involvement
Mark told us, “I’ve been involved with the RFU on a
national basis for the last ten years. My role has changed
a lot during that time; the landscape we work in has
changed from educational, social and sporting points of
view so what we’re always trying to do is make sure that
we’re not only in tune with what is happening now but
also in the future as well. I guess the key at the moment
is making sure that we are providing a game that is
attractive, fun and safe for as many players of all ages
as possible.
My role is to oversee our work in the age grade games
which covers from U18 and below in our clubs as well as
schools, colleges and universities. What we have found,
particularly around the 2015 World Cup when we ran
the All Schools programme with the aim of giving access
to the game for more children, then helping them to go
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on to rugby clubs was that the key to joining that together
was the values in the game.”
Linked Values
“There is a real attraction to our values of teamwork,
respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship from
teachers, parents and governing bodies because they
are areas that they want to engender into their students
in schools, universities and colleges as well. It is very
important that those values are benefitting people off the
pitch as well as on it.
It is always great to hear stories about how people
enjoy greater confidence, more self-esteem, better
academic participation and feel better about themselves
in general. That isn’t purely down to rugby of course but
we certainly believe that it is one of the things that help
them to develop their character.”
Coventry College is home to one of the leading further education rugby academies in the Midlands –
helping aspiring rugby players to harness their talent while studying for a range of careers.
The Coventry College Rugby Education
Programme - which is the official
College partner of Wasps Academy -
has developed a reputation for bringing
through a conveyor belt of rugby talent
alongside equipping aspiring students
with the knowledge and understanding
to prepare them for further progression
in the game.
Since the education programme was
formed in 2006 at Coventry College’s
RFU-accredited Henley campus, 16 players
from the Academy have gone on to play
rugby at National League 2 level or above.
Antonio ‘TJ’ Harris spent a year studying
at the College before he eventually
progressed on to Wasps’ first team, while
another ex-student and former College
captain, Josh McNulty, signed professional
contracts at Worcester Warriors,
Gloucester and Harlequins.
Last year’s Coventry College captain,
Harry Barnes, recently made his debut for
Birmingham Moseley in National League 1,
while former student Jamal Gask Clarke
also represented England 7s’ development
squad and Wasps Academy.
The Rugby Education Programme gives
16 to 18-year-olds the unique opportunity
to train as a full-time professional rugby
player, while also studying on an academic
study programme in order to develop
within a player pathway while gaining
specific qualifications.
Players take part in the rugby content
and delivery for up to 16 hours per week
with a focus on strength and conditioning,
nutritional support and guidance,
performance of analysis and training
field sessions. This provides a unique and
bespoke programme while competing in
weekly fixtures.
Academic study programmes include
a range of BTEC Level 3 qualifications
that can unlock pathways into university,
an apprenticeship, scholarship or direct
employment.
The Coventry College Rugby Education
Programme was set up by Pete Glackin,
who, alongside his role at Coventry
College, is also head coach at Birmingham
Moseley Rugby. Pete is supported at
Coventry College by specialist coaches
Danny Wright and Joe Foreman, with
Coventry
College
Rugby Education
Programme
Gemma McGhee as lead therapist –
emphasising a professional environment
at the College.
Pete said: “Coventry College has worked
extremely hard to ensure that the rugby
union programme supports the player
pathway in both playing and academic
study programmes.
“Rugby playing scholarships is one
example of further developing the
programme to ensure players are
supported while at the College and
balancing the rigorous demands of
training, playing and studying.
For more information about the Coventry
College Rugby Education Programme visit
www.coventrycollege.ac.uk or contact
[email protected]
As the official college partner
of Wasps Academy, we provide
study programmes for players
aged 16-18 years, wishing to
combine the highest level of
rugby development and
competition alongside their
academic aspirations.
For more information and to
register your interest please email:
[email protected]
www.rugbyclubmag.com
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