ACADEMY

BACKGROUND

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Mission:

Our Mission is to identify, recruit and develop professional players for the Bedford 1st XV of the future.

The Blues Academy focuses on Player Development and uses a competitive fixture list to develop players. The Academy U19s play fixtures against other U19 sides such as Leicester Tigers, Northampton Saints, Saracens, the Welsh Regions (Gwent and North Wales), Moseley, Nottingham and Worcester, and older sides such as Loughborough University Freshers, Oxford University U21s, Cambridge University U21s and the RAF U23s.

The Blues have won the National U19 Knock Out Cup in five of the last six years and are the current holders of the trophy. Each season Academy players train with the Blues 1st XV squad during the season and a number are then invited to attend pre-season summer training with the 1st XV. Those good enough are offered contracts with the Blues and over the last few years, seven players have moved through the Academy on to Blues senior contracts. Other players have come through the Academy to play at Championship and Premiership level elsewhere.

Last season we had five young ex-Academy players, all below 22, and one who celebrated 10 years with the Blues (Sacha Harding), playing 1st XV rugby for Bedford in the Championship. Since them two of them have signed for Premiership sides (Will Chudley, Newcastle, and now Exeter) and Duncan Taylor (Saracens).

This season Josh Bassett moved from last year’s Academy side into the Blues 1st XV, where he is the Championship’s leading try scorer. He has played for England U20s in the Six Nations, and has been selected for the England U20 World Cup squad. Ali Price, one of the current Academy U19 players, has played for the Blues 1st XV and for Scotland U20s.

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Player Development:

Our objective is to help you to develop to achieve your maximum playing potential.  If you have any questions or concerns regarding your playing development please don’t hesitate to ask any of the coaches.  There is no such thing as a “stupid question” – if you don’t know – ask !

Ground Rules:

Academy players are expected to …

• be on time for all games and training - if you are late for an away game we will not wait for you even if it means going away short of players
• keep the Team Manger informed regarding your availability for games and training - if you are not available inform the Team Manager 
• know the plans for games and training venues/times - we do not expect to have to chase you to give you details – if you do not know look on website – or phone and ask
• follow the ground rules for injury management and physio treatment
• have a zero tolerance to;
• Drug use
• Dishonesty - the Academy coaches will be honest with you – we expect similar honesty in return.
• Litter – this includes; the gym, team bus, changing rooms (home and away), training and playing pitches
• play on the edge, whist maintaining discipline
• poor discipline (cheap shots, talking back to referee, giving soft penalties) results in yellow/red cards, loss of players and lost games
• take 100% responsibility for your performance – don’t make excuses
• never waste a training session
• look after match day kit – we do not expect to have to chase it
• follow the match day dress code an all occasions - unless you are told differently the dress code for all games is;
• Travel - Bedford t-shirt, tracksuit pants, and hoodie
• Warm Up - Bedford t-shirt, shorts (waterproof top if wet)
• After match - Bedford polo and Jeans
• Act sensibly and professionally when out socially as a team

At some stage of your life you will leave Bedford Rugby Club.

• take the opportunity for development you have at Bedford Academy - do not have regrets in later life and say “IF ONLY……..”
• ENJOY your time at Bedford – you should play because you enjoy it
• rugby at Bedford is a TEAM GAME