FAQs - WARRIORS ACADEMY

What can the Academy offer me?
The Academy is committed to identifying within its region, any current, and potential Premiership players. Individual players then receive a planned personal and individual development programme to enhance their rugby (technical, tactical, physical & mental) development, this, when balanced against their educational personal and social needs, provides a comprehensive programme within a professional learning environment. The Academy process will offer a minimum of three hours of rugby related activity per day plus additional individual, positional and unit skills training. It also includes and manages a competitive playing programme at the appropriate level for all its full time athletes. Each personal development programme will be balanced to meet RFU and Worcester Rugby guidelines. Where athletes are school bound and unable to attend on a daily basis, the Academy will arrange for a minimum of 9 hours support to be available.

When can I join the Academy?
The journey through the Elite pathway into the Warriors Academy can start as early as 12 years old, and we now host our own Warriors Development squads, weekly, at Sixways, with a total of up to 200 young players receiving the best up to date coaching, physical and medical support. Players then may then be invited to join the Warrtors Academy through our Elite Player Development Groups (Satellite Academy Centre's of Excellence for players aged U-14 to U-18 across the West Midlands. (Please refer to our EPDG section for further information). The Warriors Academy structure is underpinned by our Apprenticeship scheme, which exposes every player to a programme of rugby development and body management, balanced against his education. This provides the necessary structure for each player to maximise his rugby potential. The apprenticeship (AASE) scheme, run at Worcester VI Form College provides a complete player pathway from their entry into the Warriors Academy and then hopefully through to their ultimate goal, the Worcester Warriors 1st XV Squad.

How does my education fit into the programme?
Whilst every young player aims for a professional rugby career, it is vital that they continue some form of education. We have developed partnerships with a number of educational institutes within our area in order to provide each player with a balance between their education and rugby development. In addition to these, and as core elements of the our apprenticeship scheme, our players are encouraged and have the opportunity to take personal development courses through any subject they may feel important to them. The players share their rugby coaching skills by helping to teach Tag rugby within local schools through the club's community department. This gives back to the community and also acts as an introduction to rugby for children who could one day become a Warriors Academy player themselves!

Does the Academy hold trials?
We do not hold open trials for entry into the academy. The majority of our players join the academy through our Elite Player Development Groups. These are satellite academies based at six locations throughout the West Midlands. Our centre's work with players from U13 to U18 age groups, and are players who have demonstrated the potential to become future Worcester Warriors and England players. We do recognise that some players may develop later than others and so we sometimes offer players the opportunity to trial with us during pre-season or for a few sessions mid-season. However, the standards within the academy are very high with the majority of our players having represented their country at one level or another.

What is the Elite Player Development Groups (EPDGs)?
The Warriors Academy has six Centre's of Excellence that house their EPDGs, these groups of players aged 12-18, act as a development base for our 'potential elite' young players, that have demonstrated or possess the qualities required to develop into a future Worcester Warrior. Entrance into the EPDG is solely at the discretion of the Warriors Academy management and coaching staff. Each player should possess the ability to demonstrate:
- A High Level of Skill
- Fitness & Athleticism
- Tactical and game awareness
- Exceptional Personal attitude
EPDG and Warriors Development squad sessions will take place only within designated slots to avoid cutting across established club and schools fixtures, or county representative activities at all youth levels.

What lies beyond the EPDGs?
Each EPDG squad will be linked to the Warriors Academy. Players distinguishing themselves through the EPDG process may be given the opportunity to become members of the Warriors Academy as a full time member or through its apprenticeship scheme. For those choosing this route, the impact is likely to be considerable. In consultation again with all interested parties, flexible study arrangements will be negotiated with the player's educational institution to allow him both to continue with his studies and also to accommodate and undertake a training and playing schedule devised to best suit his rugby development.

Where are the EPDGs located?

Due to the expanse of the West Midlands, Worcester Warriors EPDG Satellite Centre's of Excellence are all situated to enable players within their locality to travel no more than 45-60 minutes.
Our six Centre's of Excellence are held at:
• Warwick School, for Warwickshire
• Old Swinford Hospital School, Stourbridge, for Dudley & Sandwell
• Bishops of Hereford School, for Herefordshire
• Telford College of Art & Technology, for Shropshire
• Moseley Rugby Club, for Greater Birmingham
• Bromsgrove School, for Worcestershire