ELITE PLAYER DEVELOPMENT GROUP (EPDG)

EPDG's - previously known as EPDC's - are currently run across the West Midlands at approved Warriors Satellite Centres. They are specifically for young athletes who show potential to play rugby at the highest level, or who may have displayed outstanding athletic ability in another sport.

The EPDG's are staffed by Academy chosen coaches and managers, and the syllabus mirrors the RFU Core Skills programme. Athletes are nominated from their schools or clubs, through regional and divisional representation, although that is not essential, word of mouth from an army of coaches with allegiance to Worcester Warriors, or simply those who recognize that Worcester Warriors are forefront in developing young rugby players.

Each player would have to then be assessed by the Academy staff, assessed on his athletic ability and potential, and then if successful, given training and development in all the necessary Core skills they would require in order that they may progress, initially into the Warriors Academy full time programme, possibly into International Age Group Rugby, and hopefully onto the field as a fully fledged Warrior.

Athletes are aged from 12 years old upwards to 18, and programmes are designed to suit their age, educational commitment, their maturation, and any other sporting commitments.

We have currently around 150 young athletes from 12 - 18 training within the EPDG's at Telford College of Art & Technology, Bishops of Hereford, Old Swinford Hospital School, Bromsgrove School, Warwick School and at Sixways, home to Worcester Warriors.

The EPDG centres have been responsible for turning out players such as Matt Mullan, Tom Wood, Chris Pennell, Miles Benjamin, Matt Cox, Graham Kitchener and Joe Carlisle and a great deal more, and currently house seven of last season's England U16.