Northumberland Rugby Union Player Pathway Season 2014-15
Nominations of Under 13 and Under 14 Players
The Northumberland ‘England Rugby Developing Player Programme’ provides a clear and structured
package of quality coaching for new and existing players between the ages of 13 and 16.
Clubs and schools will be invited to nominate players for inclusion in the programme, to be run jointly
by the RFU, Northumberland and the Falcons Regional Academy.
The programme evolved from the Northumberland ‘Schools of Rugby’ and has been developed
following a review and game-wide consultation. Its aim is to provide a consistent and high quality
experience which is tailored to the needs of individual players to encourage their lifelong participation
in rugby. It will identify those with talent and help them find the right direction to follow, whether that is
into professional rugby or long term participation at a level appropriate to them.
An important element of the programme will be to enable ‘talent transfer’, encouraging potential rugby
union players up to the age of 18 to join the game from playing other sports.
A specialist workforce of ‘Developing Player Coaches’, is and has been developed who will be drawn
from clubs, schools and academies. These coaches will have the right mix of skills and attributes
required to meet the needs of young players in this crucial period of their lives.
Stuart Armstrong RFU states “Where possible, rugby skills will be learnt in a game-like environment,
not by drills in isolation. We have integrated new knowledge and understanding of the needs of a
developing athlete, reflecting up-to-date developments in coaching and sports science.”
Endorsing the principles behind the changes, Assistant Academy Manager at Gloucester Rugby,
Simon Lane, said: “The idea is to come away from using the term 'Talent ID' when dealing with
players so young, as with varying rates of physical and mental maturation, it is impossible to
accurately say which players will make it onto our senior academy even at 15.
Chris Davy, Developing Player Programme Manager explains “This programme offers wider
opportunity which is fantastic for all of the players involved, with around 100 players (in
Northumberland) expected to be selected in each of the 4 Area U13 squads at the youngest end of
the age scale. The new programme will also enhance the development and quality of players who will
go on to be the lifeblood of community rugby clubs in Northumberland and up and down the country.
Northumberland are delighted after 8 years of collaborative work in the School of Rugby, to lead on
the new Developing Player Programme within the County. The coaches and management team are
really looking forward to adopting and developing the changes within the programme and the
perceived benefits that will improve the players, our clubs and our CB. Once again we look forward to
working together with our partners within this programme - Falcons Academy & the Rugby Football
Union.”
Clubs and Schools should down load the attached U13 [Year 8] and U14 [Year 9] Application
Form and return a hard signed copy to
NRU County Administrator, Claire Sharpe, Druid Park, Woolsington, Newcastle upon Tyne NE13 8DF
by Friday 26th. September.
The initial U13 session for season 2014-15 must be attended by all of the nominated players to the
venue stated on the Area Pathway tab (these dates are still to be confirmed). U14 new nominations
have to attend the next scheduled U14 session in October.
Last seasons Under 13’s are automatically moved up to Under 14 for season 2014-15 and should
attend the session in October.
Details of all Area sessions can be found on the Player Pathway tab
Further information on the Northumberland Rugby Developing Player Programme is available by
contacting Chris Davy: cdavy@hotmail.co.uk