Leinster Rugby Academy
Player development / Academic development
The Programme
 QQI (HETAC) Supplementary awarded course.
 Aim: To produce Professional Rugby Players
 Outcome: Provide players with the necessary training,
information and support that they need to become
accomplished professional rugby players
 To qualify for entry
 Player Profile (Specifics)
 Undertaking, Third level Education and or a Trade (duty
of care)
Support Network
 Parents
 Parents are given a presentation of the operations of Academy, programme and
support services.
 Player academic development is discussed
 Leinster/UCD Partnership:
 To provide opportunities for Leinster players to take a course at UCD
 Course Tutors
 Where applicable course tutors are informed and Academy programme outlined
 Coaches
 Academy Managers co-ordinates the relationships to take the pressure of the
player
 Auxiliary support
 Additional support provided where applicable.
 Course Mentors, Time Management Etc.
Process
Identify
• Profile
Review
Develop
• Assess
• Educate
Monitor
• Evaluate
Reality
 Rugby is not a long term
career
 The Academy believes and
recognises the importance
that players pursue
alternative career paths.
 This gives players additional
career opportunities when
they retire from the game
 Example of Courses
 Health & Performance
Science
 Geography & sociology
 Business Studies
 Law
 Physiotherapy
 Commerce
 Arts
Managing Rugby and Academic
Development
 Players outline their course
schedule and timings-early
 Communicate with Course
Director/Tutor
 Training schedule - timings
 Ongoing communication
with players to allow for
flexibility
 Course Modularisation
 Time management modules
 Player performance Reviews
Mentoring Programme
“Supports and encourages players to manage their own
learning in order that they maximise their potential, develop
their skills, improve their performance and become the person
they want to be”
 A mentor company provides a suitable mentor that will
take a common sense approach to advising players
 Mentors advise, assist and guide players with self
development
 Goals (Set and Get)
 Networking Build relationships
 Life plans- Realistic and focused
Total Preparation
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Technical
Tactical
Physical
Mental
Lifestyle
 The glue that holds the
above pillars together.
Lifestyle (Profile snapshot)
 Organised
 Planned and prepared with respect to , workshops, training,
matches, work, study
 Time Management
 Allocates and managers appropriate time to effectively
undertake commitments
 Balance
 Pursues interests which add value other that rugby e.g.
vocational, educational, recreational, social etc.
 Academic Performance
 In performance reviews, monitor academic performance and
development
CAREER & PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAMME
Strategic Approach
Pillar
Career &
Education
Key
Areas
- Study
management
- Work
experience
- Flexible
delivery
- Guidance
- Alternative
pathways
Processes
Desired
Outcome
Personal
Development
Player Image
Finance /
Asset Mgmt
- Community
engagement
- Networking
- Mentoring
- Profiling
- Interview skills
- CV
- Presentation
skills
- Media &
speaking skills
- Brand
awareness
- Social
networking
- Social
responsibility
- leadership
- Basic finance
management
- Tax advice
- Pension/insuran
ce advice
- Mortgages
- Investments
Risk
Management
- Mental health
- Drug & alcohol
awareness
- Anti-doping
- Gambling
- Social integrity
- Rehabilitation
programs
To be devised by National CPD Board
- Increased % of
players in
higher
education
- Bringing
players closer
to Irish
communities
- Broader career
path options
- Promote more
‘rounded’
individuals
- Provide
confidential
support
- Set direction in
player careers
- Ensure clean
image of sport
- Players viewed
as strong
ambassadors /
role models
- Player
understanding
of personal &
team brands
- Ensure career
earnings are
maximised
- Ensure player
has financial
buffer in
transition
- Minimise risk of
poor
investment
- Minimise risk of
‘bad press’ for
the sport
- Maximise
player
opportunity to
succeed
Example of a Complete Professional
Irish Rugby Player
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A player that has the talent and positional characteristics
Who has balance in his life
Who is Intelligent
Who is mentally stimulated and challenged
Who can process information quickly
Who is organised
Who has clear identified goals
Who is mentally strong
Who leads his own development
Who has strong values
Who strives for excellence
Conclusion
 A player has to perform and
make effective tactical
decisions in an pressured,
emotional environment.
 A player that is mentally
stimulated and with a
healthy mind has the
capacity to react, adapt and
act, efficiently, in a moment
in time.
Reflection
 “What we should doing is saying of every 100 kids in
Manchester who are going to be going through
Manchester United Or City’s academies, statistically less
than one of them will make it, so why not make sure
that every single one of these people get a parallel
education in how to be a proper human being and not a
complete moron?”
 John Amaechi ex basketball star