Nominate a Future STAR of Yorkshire Rugby

Have you come across a player that really shone on the field?

A rugby player in a blue jersey and black headgear giving a thumbs-up gesture.

Spotting potential is exciting, but a nomination to the Yorkshire Rugby Academy is more than simply putting forward a “good player.” Our aim is to find individuals who have the ability and mindset to progress towards elite-level rugby, and that means looking beyond just match-day performance and considering long term potential and commitment.

Before submitting a nomination, we encourage you to use the information on this page to make sure they are ready for assessment. This will ensure that nominations are meaningful, focused, and give players the best chance of success during the assessment process.

Nominate a STAR

What we look for in our academy players…

Playing rugby at an elite level requires more than skill alone, it takes the right mindset, behaviours, and approach both on and off the pitch. The Yorkshire Rugby Academy programme is designed to prepare players for those demands, and to do that effectively, we have clear criteria for the type of player we’re looking for.

While every player is assessed as an individual, we use a consistent benchmark to ensure fairness and transparency in our selection process. This is where the STAR model comes in; a framework we’ve developed to guide our decisions and identify the players best suited for the Academy Development Programme.

A rugby player holding a ball during a game, wearing a blue jersey and black shorts.

S.T.A.R

S.T.A.R

SKILLFUL

TACTICALLY AWARE

ATHLETIC POTENTIAL

RECEPTIVE

Rugby player kicking a rugby ball on the field while spectators watch from behind a white fence.

SKILFUL

A skilful player has ability to consistently execute core rugby skills (passing, tackling, carrying, evasion, breakdown work) under pressure.

    • The ability to catch the ball clean and early by adjusting their hands and body.

    • The ability to get the ball accurately to where it needs to be.

    • The ability to select the most effective method to stop the ball carrier

    • The ability to manipulate defenders in a different ways including footwork/fend/offload.

Group of rugby players walking on the field during a game, wearing navy blue uniforms with white accents and various colored socks, with trees in the background.

TACTICALLY AWARE

A player with strong tactical awareness reads the game well, understands their role within the team, and can anticipate and react effectively to evolving situations on the pitch.

    • The ability to understand momentum within games and how to create or deny opportunities.

    • The ability to use a variety of options to attack and defend space.

    • The ability to scan defences and make quick decisions to go forward.

    • The ability to understand how to support the ball carrier (on-ball) or space (off-ball).

Rugby players in a fierce struggle on the field, with one player holding the ball while the others attempt to pull him down.

ATHLETIC POTENTIAL

Athletic potential is about growth and the ability to develop physical qualities over time. The physical attributes we look for include speed, strength, agility, and endurance.

    • The ability to apply power and speed qualities to a variety of performance related situations, such as dominating contact or beating opponents.

    • The ability to produce and sustain high forces to enhance performance, develop robustness and ensure availability.

    • The ability to move smoothly and adopt good shapes, with a consideration for athletes physical make up, growth potential and stage of maturation.

Rugby players in action during a match, with two players in blue jerseys and two players in black jerseys, one of the players in blue holding a rugby ball.

RECEPTIVE

A receptive player listens, applies feedback, and seeks continuous improvement. They are adaptable, open to new challenges, and willing to step outside their comfort zone to develop.

    •  The ability to reflect on individual and team performances and identify strengths and opportunities for growth.

    • The ability to cope with different demands on and off the pitch, and manage the expectations of others.

    • The ability to understand and develop the habits of high performing players including organisation, discipline, commitment and learning.

Rugby players running on a field during a game, with one player holding a rugby ball.
A male rugby player running while holding a rugby ball, wearing a navy blue and light blue uniform with a logo, and black cleats, with a focused expression.

SEEN A PLAYER THAT SHINES?

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SEEN A PLAYER THAT SHINES? //

Making a nomination

Confident that your player is academy ready? We welcome nominations from teachers, coaches and club volunteers during our nomination windows in August and September. Nominations are done electronically via a formal nomination form which has been sent out via GMS. If you are unsure of the process, drop us an email.