Last
updated: 05/03/08
University
rugby’s production line for the pros
Ben Townsend examines the mutually beneficial link between universities
and professional rugby teams.
Following England’s World Cup victory in 2003, ways of assuring
the continued success of the English national team has been a top priority.
The rather shaky and arguably fortuitous 2007 World Cup campaign, ending
in a final appearance against eventual winners South Africa, was highlighted
as a cause for concern, especially considering the squads’ average
age stood at 33.
Key to any development in the game is the desire of English rugby union
teams to win the hotly contested Guinness Premiership and European Heineken
Cup, spearheading progress. One such method of discovering the raw potential
that would otherwise be missed is the ever increasing trend emerging
in the UK of partnerships being established between universities and
rugby union’s Guinness Premiership clubs.
For numerous years now multiple Premiership clubs have aligned themselves
with local universities, offering talented young rugby players scholarships
as an incentive to continue their academic careers whilst introducing
them into the clubs’ academy. Among those currently investing
their time, skills and expertise are Bath Rugby with Bath University,
Bristol Rugby with Bristol University, Sale Sharks with Manchester University,
Leicester Tigers with Leicester University and Newcastle Falcons with
Northumbria University. The teams’ academies, where the most talented
players ultimately find themselves, are supported by funding from Sport
England, a departmental public body for the Department of Culture, Media
and Sport, while these funds are channelled via the sport’s governing
body, the Rugby Football Union or RFU.
Each of the aforementioned teams holds varying status and ambitions
within the sport but their involvement with their respective universities
indicates the level of importance that these clubs place on such ties.
Hoping to unearth players with the potential to be fed into their academies,
the ultimate aim of such links is the hope that one day they could earn
a contract and play professionally for their first team, and then even
England. This allows for a more effective way of running the rule over
talent that would previously be ignored, meaning that the standard of
player has risen for the benefit of both club and country.
Yet it isn’t just the rugby union clubs who are experiencing the
pluses of a working relationship with a local university; the universities
themselves are able to utilise the partnerships to their fullest. James
Birdsey, Manchester University’s Acting Sport Development Manager,
stresses the positives of the university’s affiliation with Sale
Sharks; “The university rugby union teams receive free coaching
from Sale Sharks and the result has been fantastic. The standard of
the university’s teams have improved greatly with 3 or 4 first
team players currently playing within Sale’s academy team”.
The professional coaching being provided by the rugby clubs isn’t
the only contribution that is made to the universities however. The
high standard of medical facilities available at the professional clubs,
such as strength conditioning and physiotherapy, can all be accessed
by the university players working in conjunction with the clubs as part
of the relationship. A strict and particular focus is also placed upon
the academic performance of each individual. Mentoring schemes are put
in place to ensure that the student has someone to talk to if need be,
while help is also given with issues such as time management, finances,
and other life problems.
Geoff Moon, Bristol Rugby’s Academy Manager, highlights how much
is gained by Bristol University in the connection between itself and
Bristol Rugby; “It has attracted leading rugby players into the
area thus improving the standard of their rugby. Bristol Rugby also
provide a professional coach to the university meaning that their team
receives a higher level of coaching than they would have before”.
Of course this has its benefits for the rugby union side, currently
languishing in tenth position in the Premiership table, as it enables
the club to process talent more effectively. The professional coaches
who work with the university players on a regular basis are able to
pinpoint those who have the most potential, a result of the more hands-on
approach.
One such player who has taken advantage of the scholarship scheme is
Bristol University’s Dave Attwood.
Having been spotted by Bristol Rugby’s coaching staff; the second
row was placed in the Premiership side’s academy. Here Attwood
impressed head coach Richard Hill enough to earn a professional contract
in February 2007 with Hill stating at the time; “Dave Attwood
is exactly the sort of young, local talent that we want coming through
the ranks at Bristol. We feel that he has a big future and want that
future to be with us”.
Recently this year he was announced as a member of the England Saxons
squad to face Italy A, on February 9, indicating that there is clearly
much promise for the player whilst also signalling how prosperous university
and rugby union club relationships can be.
