Coventry Rugby fills Wasps and Worcester gap
Coventry Rugby has come to the rescue of aspiring teenage rugby players in the West Midlands after the collapse of the region’s two Premiership clubs, Wasps and Worcester Warriors. The demise of these clubs also meant the disappearance of their RFU-funded academies, which were crucial pathways for talented 18-year-olds to pursue a professional rugby career.
With limited spots available in Leicester and Northampton’s academies, the competition has intensified, leaving some exceptional young players in the densely populated West Midlands struggling to find a viable route into the professional rugby arena.
Although Coventry Rugby finished third in the Championship last season, they are not a Premiership shareholder and, therefore, ineligible for RFU academy status. However, they have taken matters into their own hands and formed a partnership with Coventry College to address this void in the West Midlands.
Chief Executive Nick Johnston believes this collaboration allows them to offer an exceptional opportunity to aspiring 18-year-olds, filling the gap left by the collapsed Premiership clubs’ academies. Coventry Rugby’s proactive approach is set to provide a new avenue for talented youngsters to pursue their rugby dreams.
“We are very committed to offering talented players the chance to get more education which prepares them for life after rugby while simultaneously improving their playing skills,” he said.
“We firmly believe that by investing in our group we end up with better people and higher-performing rugby players and this is a good example of that philosophy at work.
“We have got together with Coventry College to offer a Level 3 Certificate in Coaching (Sport and Physical Activity).
“Based at the Butts Park Arena, this one-year course combines study content delivered by the College with an absolutely outstanding rugby programme.
“Students joining the course next month will learn from our first team management and coaching squad, not academy coaches. This means they will receive input from some of England’s leading experts in areas including nutrition, strength & conditioning, sports psychology, analysis and coaching.”
Coventry Rugby head coach Alex Rae also believes the course offers plenty for ambitious teenage rugby players.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for a young player to get some education while also being part of a really good rugby programme incorporating all the key elements which make them a better rugby player and a better person,” he said.
“They will be surrounded by first team players and coaches and within a pathway that is a proven route already taken by players like Tom Ball and Fin Ogden who are currently within our senior squad.”
Rae also sees the course as a potential route into professional rugby for those who really impress.
“If someone comes on this programme and excels I am not frightened to give them their chance in our first team in the Championship,” he said.
“But we realise not everyone will achieve that, so this course is also geared up to provide students with a platform from which they are able to go on and enjoy their rugby at any level.”
Anyone interested in finding out more about the 2023/24 course then applying for a place in this September’s student intake should contact: Gordon Ross, Coventry Rugby Head of Academy Pathway and Talent Development, Email: gross@coventryrugby.co.uk
Comments on RugbyPass
“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
5 Go to comments