What is an England Rugby Academy and what does it do?
‘England Rugby Academy’ is the term used to describe the process supported by the RFU for what will be one of several key stages of player development in the Rugby Football Union’s World Class Performance Plan. The primary, and at all times central, purpose is to develop better England players. The England Rugby Academy structure will operate at three levels: – Level 1 will be a National Academy for a select group of up to 60 players mainly in age groups U19-U24. – At Level 2 England Rugby will license a network of regional academies each serving a discreet geographical area of the country and supporting development of up to 300 young athletes in age groups U16-U21. – At Level 3 England Rugby will support each regional academy to work closely with RFU development staff, CBs, clubs and schools to establish a comprehensive programme of talent search and player development at up to forty accredited elite player development centres.
