Prem Pathways with Yorkshire Rugby Academy
A pathway to a premiership and international rugby career.
Welcome to the Yorkshire Rugby Academy, the RFU’s only independent academy and one of only 11 official academies in the UK. We provide rugby union players in Yorkshire with a route to a premiership and international rugby career. What makes our pathway unique is our opportunity to develop players for not only the 10 Premiership clubs but also to create partnerships with universities and businesses alike to support players with their journey beyond leaving school at 18.
We are incredibly proud to be one of just 11 officially licensed academies by both England Rugby and Premiership Rugby — a distinction that reflects our commitment to developing top-tier rugby talent.
Where it all began…
Yorkshire Rugby Academy was formed in September 2020 following the closure of Yorkshire Carnegie. At the time this was the first Regional Academy that was independent from a parent club as was the case with the other 13. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the initial message was clear: get a group of players ready to compete in the Academy u18 competition. With the support of amazing volunteers and sheer determination we achieved that first small step and gained national respect with our performances.
Working with clubs, schools and colleges throughout Yorkshire, we’ve been able to identify some of Yorkshire’s most talented players and provide them with the environment and support they need to become the best versions of themselves, both on and off the pitch.
2020
Yorkshire Academy was founded.
Stuart Dixon and Alex Grieve were appointed as the academy’s first full-time employees.
Existed as the only independently licensed academy in England.
We identified the first academy playing group.
The under 18s academy group was granted exemption to play rugby still, despite Covid restrictions.
2021
Our first game as an academy team was played.
We grew our team to four full time employees, with Kristian Sharples and Sarah Hattee joining the team.
2023
Most represented academy at the under 18s six nations festival, 4 players playing for England and one for Scotland.
First players were signed by prem rugby clubs – Tom Burrow, Tye Raymont, Toby Baker.
Ned McCormack signed for Leeds Rhinos.
2024
Granted independent licensing from The RFU and Prem Rugby until 2032.
2025
Welcomed four additional team members, taking us to 8 employees.
Still the only independent academy of a senior club.
Proud to have had a total of 153 players play in the academy league.
8 academy players have played for England Under 18s.
7 players awarded professional contracts.
WE LEAVE BETTER
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WE LEAVE BETTER //
At Yorkshire Rugby Academy, “We Leave Better” is more than a mantra — it’s a standard that drives every interaction, session, and decision we make. Whether you’re a player, parent, coach, club, school, or governing body, our commitment is that anyone who connects with our programme leaves better equipped, better supported, and better prepared to thrive in their next step. We believe in consistently raising standards, developing character, and creating environments where people grow — on and off the field. Our mindset is simple: if you give us your time, we’ll make sure you leave better. Always.
Our Purpose.
The support a player with potential receives is the difference between being good and being the best version of themselves. That’s why we strive to create the most effective player development system through evidence-based coaching, high-quality support, and clear pathways. Underpinned by rugby’s core values, we will provide opportunities for Yorkshire’s talent to thrive in Premiership and International rugby.
With strategic focus and continuous innovation, we believe that together we can create an environment where future STARs of the game grow.
Our Mission
Our mission is simple.
We want To Deliver a Legacy of Excellence – Developing Players, People, and Pathways for Yorkshire’s Rugby Future.
Our Values
Developing players
People first approach
Pathways for Rugby’s future
Honouring our legacy
Eliminating the barriers to success
Every player that demonstrates elite level potential deserves the chance to work towards a premiership or international rugby career. That’s why we have developed a long-term strategy for identifying, developing and guiding Yorkshire’s most outstanding talent without limitations. By centering our strategy around player development, performance, pathway evolution and our academy’s legacy, we are ensuring that there are no barriers to player’s success.
MEET THE TEAM
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MEET THE TEAM //
Our academy works because of the people behind it, and we are proud to have each of them as part of our team. Their determination, commitment and shared belief in our mission is the reason so many players transition well to elite level rugby.
STUART DIXON
STUART DIXON
Programme Lead
An exceptionally experienced rugby development leader, Stuart brings with him over 30 years of rugby knowledge and game exposure. Following a playing career at the highest levels of domestic rugby, he transitioned into coaching and development, working across age-grade county sides, academy squads, men’s national league teams, and the women’s Premiership.
Since beginning his professional coaching journey in 2005, Stuart has held roles as Community Rugby Coach, Player Development Officer, and Academy Coach Development Officer before joining us here at the Yorkshire Rugby Academy in 2020 as Programme Lead.
His role sees him lead our performance programme, which is focused on supporting young players on their journey to the professional game, while developing the coaches, staff, and environments around them. Stuart is driven by a clear purpose: for every player, coach, colleague, and stakeholder to leave the programme better.
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Full Name: Lucy Aldridge
Role: Operations Assistant
Joined the Academy: 2024How I help people leave better: It’s my role to effectively manage and coordinate the players, handle all logistical arrangements for training sessions and game days, and take care of the various financial aspects involved, including budgeting, payments, and overall financial planning.
Fun Fact: I am solely responsible for the creation of Stuart’s title as ‘Master of Last-Minute Planning’.
Good cop, bad cop?
I’d say bad cop amongst the team, their organisation is refreshingly spontaneous—why schedule ahead when you can embrace the thrill of improvisation? So as Miss Organised, I do have to take charge sometimes. Only sometimes though, who needs a rigid plan when you have adaptability and a team that's always ready to dive in headfirst?
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Full Name: Sarah Hattee
Role: Head of Medical Services
Joined the Academy: 2020How I help people leave better: Together with the medical team, I help players get well enough to play again following an injury or illness. I’m their point of contact at first injury and I oversee their treatment plan and fit to play assessments. I also work closely with the S&C to develop our MOT program and return to play protocols.
Surprising Fact: There’s never a period of time where no one is injured and not all the injuries we see are caused by rugby.
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Full Name: Kristian 'Sharpie' Sharples
Role: Head of Athletic Development
Joined the Academy: April 2021How I help people leave better: My focus is on developing players’ athletic performance while ensuring they remain fit and available to play. I help players leave better by assessing, monitoring, and improving their physical capacities and skills, giving them the tools they need to perform at a higher level.
Good cop, bad cop?
A key part of my role is education — supporting players, parents, and coaches with guidance on nutrition, recovery, and best practices for training and match preparation. I guess this means I’m more ‘bad cop’ but I do bring a lot of humour to the table too.
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Full Name: Tom Gilchrist
Role: Academy Head Coach
Joined the Academy: 2021How I help people leave better: I support all players' rugby journey, enhancing their love of the game through our designed experiences with the intention of creating memories that last way into their retirement.
I focus on annual and block planning for all players and coaches, aligning them with the Academy curriculum, ensuring clear development intentions are agreed and defined.
Coaching Style: Changes a lot - I like to keep things interesting.
Good Cop, Bad Cop?
NeitherFamous Coach Comparison: Not a comparison, but Stuart Lancaster is a coach I admire. Starting his journey as Yorkshire's first academy manager and then into age grade rugby and now achieving at the highest level of the game.
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Full Name: Luke Pendlebury
Role: Foundation Phase Lead & Coach Developer
Joined the Academy: September 2025How I help people leave better: My role involves leading the U15/16s PDG groups across the county, ensuring that players across our three centres have the same exciting, challenging and engaging experience on the first step of the RFU pathway. In addition, my role is to coach, develop and provide support for our Lead and Assistant coaches to run a curriculum that provides the best opportunity to stretch and challenge players and coaches to be the best they possibly can be.
Fun Fact: I am the most unorganised staff member!Coaching Style: I want to provide an environment that challenges players and coaches to be the best version of themselves but also recognising what support they might need from me at any one time - appreciating that this might be different at different times for different people.
Good Cop, Bad Cop?
Good cop - Got to be Dicko! Mr Cool. Bad cop - I think they are all sweet at heart really.
Famous Coach Comparison:Greg - Shaun Edwards
Gilly - Mike Bassett
Sharpie - Mr Motivator
Dicko - Bernard Laporte -
Full Name: Joshua Langley
Role: Academy Performance Analyst
Joined the Academy: 2025How I help people leave better: Helping aid development of players through data analysis and video analysis.
Fun Fact: Proud Southerner who burns easily.
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Full Name: Nathan Pickles
Role: Academy Foundation Coach
Joined the Academy: 2025 officially, but involved with the pathway since 2023.How I help people leave better: I support Academy sessions and coach within the Foundation Phase across all three of our centres. I also work with club coaches across the county to support the U15s and U16s on Sundays. My goal is to ensure that players leave every session with more confidence and knowledge than when they arrived.
Fun Fact: Away from rugby, I’m also a qualified sailing instructor.
Coaching Style: Player-centred. I like to challenge players through game-based activities, encouraging problem-solving and ownership of learning.
Good Cop, Bad Cop?
More on the “good cop” side, focusing on encouragement and support. -
Full Name: Greg Mannion
Role: Academy Coach
Joined the Academy: 2024How I help people leave better: I’m the backs and attack lead, so I help develop the offensive strategies and skills of the players in the backline. With my support, they become better at passing, running lines and decision-making in attack.
Fun Fact: I’ve coached Super League Academy, Premiership Academy and International Rugby League.
Good cop, bad cop?
My coaching style is open and honest, so I suspect the players would say bad cop….. it doesn’t help I don't smile much!
Which famous coach would your team compare you to?
It would be great to be compared to Shaun Edwards, Andy Farrell, Mike Forshaw or Paul Deacon.....I mean we all come from Wigan so why not?
Support future STARS
If you too would like to be a part of our mission and secure the future of the Yorkshire Rugby Academy, you can.
If you feel you can help, in any way, please get in touch.
Global Bridge has been supporting our mission to help players leave better since we formed the academy in 2020. Through free use of their revolutionary platform, players are able to create a bespoke profile to showcase their success both on and off the field, helping them stand out from the crowd when it comes to applications for jobs or further education.
We’re always interested in hearing about players who show the potential to become future stars. So, if you’ve seen a player that really shines, put them on our radar by nominating them below.
SEEN A PLAYER THAT SHINES?
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SEEN A PLAYER THAT SHINES? //