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Education and Rugby Education and Rugby FOLLOW US ONLINE TWITTER.COM/RUGBYCLUBMAG 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 8 Issue 88 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 9