With the overall strategic objective of the elite strand of English rugby to win the 2011 Rugby World Cup, it is vital that England teams are provided with a constant stream of the best talent available. The academy process established regionally, and specifically here at London Irish, will identify, select and prepare the best English qualified athletes within the designated region between the ages of 16 and 24.
In September 2001 the RFU licensed London Irish with an RFU Academy for the following six years. The main aim of this structure will be to realise the following objective:
To identify from all sources the most talented young English qualified rugby players and provide them with:
- The most appropriate individual player development programme
- The most appropriate individual player mentoring and support programmes
- The most appropriate competitive programme
- The most appropriately qualified coaches
- The best possible facilities
- The most efficient and accountable administrative support.
Below is an outline of how this will be achieved:
Frequency of Sessions
Player Testing and Medical Support
Competitive Programme
Player Education and Welfare
Data
The Academy, one of 14 established nationally, will work with a network of regional partners to deliver a process of elite player development to produce rugby athletes able to compete in the premiership with London Irish whilst competing for places within England representative teams.
The Academy process is located at the Sunbury Centre and has outstanding facilities for programme delivery that incorporates not only rugby specifics, but uses the latest techniques and research to ensure that athletes are at the forefront of elite player development. Components such as strength and conditioning, sports medicine, tactical and technical development as well as mentoring and lifestyle education are implicit in the core programme.
Player Numbers
Each Academy will have the opportunity to work with a maximum of 25 players.