The newest WRU Academy, the WRU RGC Academy, was launched today in Colwyn Bay.
Eleven players, selected through their performances for Gogledd Cymru age grade sides, will benefit from top quality coaching, analysis and conditioning support to hone their rugby skills technically and tactically in order to maximise their potential and create a sustainable player pathway throughout north Wales.
Key to the success of the academy is a unique partnership with two north Wales education establishments, Coleg Llandrillo Cymru and Rydal Penrhos School who have created an integrated timetable allowing players to study a wide range of academic and vocational courses while accessing between 14 and 16 hours of rugby development every week.
The WRU’s Regional Performance Manager for north Wales, Marc Roberts, will manage the academy programme, while Stewart Milne has been appointed as skills and conditioning coach. Further academy appointments will be made in key support areas of medical and analysis.
WRU Head of Rugby, Performance and Development Joe Lydon said, “Today’s announcement is all about the development of the game in north Wales and the sustainability of the player pathway here. With the establishment of RGC 1404 regional development side, there is now a
competitive, representative team in the region and the establishment of the academy is key to the long-term production line of home grown players that will build on the work already in place with the clubs throughout the Region.
“The players involved in this first academy intake are a credit to the north Wales clubs and coaches and this latest stage in the development of north Wales rugby can only help to raise standards here.”
Wales assistant coach Robin McBryde, who attended the launch said, “Rugby has changed dramatically since I came through the ranks at Bangor, Menai Bridge and Mold. Whilst the grassroots clubs are an essential part of Welsh rugby, in order to be amongst the best teams in the world, it is vital that we develop our players from an early age physically, technically and tactically. North Wales has produced many professional rugby players but we have always had to travel to south Wales or England until now. The establishment of the WRU RGC academy means that north Wales youngsters can receive the same level of coaching and conditioning as those in the rest of Wales.”
WRU RGC Academy Manager Marc Roberts said, “It is exciting to be involved with a new generation of potential future professional rugby players from north Wales. The two colleges, Llandrillo and Rydal Penrhos are an important element of the project, enabling high quality rugby skills, coaching and conditioning to be an integral part of the players’ daily, academic or vocational timetable. The rugby programme will focus on a holistic, player-centred approach to development and will cover five key areas: technical, tactical, physical, mental, lifestyle and player welfare.”
“We are aligned with the other four WRU academies via the national academy processes and testing procedures and we will work with RGC 1404 to identify and develop players for the future of the Region and for Welsh rugby.”
Cllr Dilwyn Roberts, Leader, Conwy County Borough Council said: “I’m delighted to see the WRU launch the Rugby Academy here today, it’s a fabulous opportunity for the region’s young players and I hope it will help to retain these talented young people in North Wales.”
Inaugural members of the WRU RGC Academy:
Shaun Strudwick;19, hooker, Sports Science student, Glyndwr University
Tom Parry;17, back row, A Level student, Ysgol Dyffryn Conwy, hopes to
study civil engineering
James Grundy;16, back row, A level student, hopes to study veterinary
science
Lewis Barker;16, outside half, A Level student, Rydal Penrhos School
Afon Bagshaw 16, scrum half, vocational course student, Llandrillo College
Mike Jonesage 16, centre, vocational course student, Llandrillo College
Meiler Parry 16, back row, A Level student, Rydal Penrhos School
Rhodri Evans 16, tight head prop, A level student, Rydal Penrhos, hopes to
study medicine
Aaron Gwyn 16, back row, A Level student, Rydal Penrhos School, hopes to
become rugby coach or join the fire service
Joe Simpson 16, loose head prop, A Level student, Rydal Penrhos School
Dion Jones 16, full back, A Level student, Rydal Penrhos School
