The Worcester Warriors Academy does not do trials in the normal sense. The Academy has an extensive development programme, in the form of Elite Player Development Groups (EPDG), which are spread across its region. Each EPDG house about 25 young players aged U13 to U18 who have been nominated by their schools or clubs, or spotted by Academy staff and scouts having already been identified as having a talent for the game. All these centres are managed and coached by Warriors professional staff.

Entry to the Academy process can be at any age from 13 to 21, dependent on ability, potential, maturation and sometimes dependent on position. Opportunities will be created for entry by late developers and talented athletes from other sports.

Player potential will be assessed under four main categories

• Skills and elements of competence
• Fitness and physical potential
• Tactical and game awareness
• Personal attitude

Those selected to become Academy athletes must demonstrate the potential to become a professional rugby player and the mental toughness/desire to 'be the best'. Academy athletes will be expected to put rugby first and adopt a lifestyle that will enable them to develop into a professional athlete.

The EPDG will normally invite players to join from the age of 13 to 18. Indeed players who perform well at county or divisional U18 age group levels may be invited directly into EPDG sessions even though they may not have been previously involved. A small, selected group EPDG squad members will progress directly into the Regional Academy level, usually when they are aged U16 to U18.

Even though the selection process is thorough, we do recognise that some players develop later or may have been missed, so the entry process is repeated annually. The end result of the process is a group of top performing rugby players with high levels of athletic ability.