Middlesex School of Rugby
Middlesex School of Rugby is part of a national framework to identify and develop talented players, working in partnership with the RFU, London Wasps and Middlesex Rugby.
The aim of the Schools of Rugby is to provide an elite programme which allows those players, both boys and girls, between U13 - U16 years of age, who have been identified as having the necessary skills or potential, to develop through a process of coaching, lifestyle lectures, fitness and mental components.
The doors have now been opened to girls too, and the first two sessions have proved a success with nearly 40 girls attending over two days, receiving quality training and advice to help with their skills. The new girls sessions will be run in the same way and at the same time as the boys sessions.
At U13/U14 the there are three development groups:
Emerging Players Players who have great potential but have little or no rugby experience
Saxon Players Players who show potential but would benefit from further development
Rose Players Players who are already performing at a highly effective level
At U15/16 there are Saxon and Rose players
Performance Pathway
From season 2010/11 the emphasis in Middlesex has been on the development players to enhance individual core rugby skills and improve tactical appreciation of the game, the highest performing players moving into London Wasps Academy England Player Development Group.
There is one pathway for both player development in the School of Rugby to County representative games at U14/U15/U16. Saxon and Rose squads combine to become the County Representative Squad. Team preparation is kept to a minimum and the aim is for players to show their levels of performance and potential.
Although late entrants to the pathway can be accommodated, for a player to achieve the highest level he needs start at the beginning with the School of Rugby.
Five out of the six Middlesex boys at U16 who followed the School of Rugby pathway have just been selected for the England Development Squad. This is a fantastic achievement for the players and all who have been involved in their rugby development.
Nominations and Trials
Players must be nominated for the School of Rugby through Middlesex clubs and Middlesex affiliated schools, and all players must be eligible to play for Middlesex County and to become members of the London Wasps academy.
U14, U15 & U16 DATES 2012-13
17 June 2012 Sessions 1 & 2
24 June 2012 Sessions 3 & 4
15 July 2012 Sessions 5 & 6
16 September 2012 Sessions 7 & 8
28 October 2012 Session 9
Players for the U13 programme will be selected after December 2012 through a series of talent identification days.
Nomination packs will be sent to affiliated Clubs and Schools.
U14, U15 & U16 DATES 2013-14
2nd June 2013 Sessions 1 & 2
16th June 2013 Sessions 3 & 4
30th June 2013 Sessions 5 & 6
14th July 2013 Sessions 7 & 8
TBA Session 9
Further Information
For further information or for a nomination pack, contact Nicky Fielder, the youth administration officer giving your contact details, club and position.
Tel: 020 8896 9050 or email: nicky.fielder@middlesexrugby.com