Training & Commitments
Working together to achieve more.
Here at The Yorkshire Rugby Academy, we’re all about helping players become the best version of themselves, both on and off the field. For this to be achievable, there needs to be a matched level of commitment from both us and the players. We welcome support from parents to ensure that is achieved.
Our Core Expectations
Remain focused on studies
Continue school and club rugby
Focus on both on-pitch rugby and off-pitch training e.g. S&C work
Focus on adequate nutrition and hydration for your weekly schedule
Listen and respect players and coaches alike
Adhere to the RFU Anti-doping guidelines
Display RFU Core Values
Training and Matches.
Training and matches are a vital part of each player’s development within Yorkshire Rugby Academy. All of our sessions are carefully designed to build skills and confidence, and to grow as both as athletes and as individuals. Regular attendance and full effort from our players allow them to gain the most from the programme, strengthen team connections, and prepare themselves for elite level rugby.
Commitments at each phase
Foundation Phase
Travel remains in Yorkshire (occasional matches outside Yorkshire for U16s)
Training only at one of our three training centres (link to that page)
One training session per week
A mix of pitch, gym and classroom sessions
Sessions last up to 3 hours
Opportunities to play in festivals/matches with peers across the academy locations
Development Group
Training mainly at York St Johns University Sports Field
Initial training includes one session per week 5.45pm until 9pm
The training schedule increases to twice per week in competition blocks
National travel to matches in the PREM Rugby Next Gen U18 Academy League
Matches are played in specific windows throughout the year; August, October, January and February.
Equipment
The kit isn't compulsory but is available for purchase. A pair of rugby boots, gym kit, gym trainers, notebook and water and prepared food to keep fueled is all we ask for. Our academy provides all other rugby training equipment.
Socialisation and parental involvement
We know as parents you’re often very busy, so we try to keep the required involvement from parents to a minimum. For this reason, your attendance at training sessions isn’t compulsory. That being said, many of our parents choose to come along and socialise with each other whilst the training session is taking place – some even alternate travel with car sharing with the parents they have got to know. At the start of every season, we always arrange a launch event for parents and players can get to know each other and meet our team – weather dependent this is usually always a BBQ event.
We also hold a number of parent information sessions per year, for which attendance is appreciated. These sessions are designed to help you understand how best to support your child during their time here.
Communication
All of our communication with parents and players is done via the app Band. When your child joins our academy, we will send out instructions on how to join. We’ll keep you up to date with match plans, events, training sessions and anything else relevant within this app – we also use this app for communicating with our players.
More recently, we’ve set up a Parents Liaison Group too, which allows for parent feedback and ideas to be discussed and communicated with us.