Junior Academy

Director

Alan Martinovic

Head of Rugby AASE Programme

Barry Maddocks

Academy Members

Further education students studying A levels or National Diplomas. The Junior Academy group will usually have 30-35 members who will be coached by the Junior Rugby Academy Director and AASE Programme Director.  Playing standards in the Junior Academy are rising all the time. All members of the Junior Academy play to county standard, the vast majority play to Divisional standard (South West, Midlands etc) and a few will gain international honours.

Acceptance into the Academy

Players are identified through a variety of routes, club, school, County, Schools of Rugby, ‘word of mouth’ development and representative squads. The first Assessment trial is staged in October for Year 11 students. Trials are not ‘open’ and there is no application process for Junior Academy places.  Those with the potential to play 1^st XV rugby are invited to take part. The offer of places in the Junior Academy and on the AASE programme are all subject to boys being offered places on appropriate academic courses at Hartpury.

Facilities

Hartpury has exceptional facilities for playing, training, strength and conditioning and medical support. Five rugby pitches (two floodlit), two medical rooms, aqua therapy centre, two state of the art gymnasiums, sports hall and video analysis equipment.

Scholarships

Hartpury is a publicly funded institution and the education provided here is free for UK students. Accommodation at Hartpury is available but there is a cost attached for all students who reside at the College.

Scholarships are available to cover the costs of accommodation for players of exceptional ability. They will be of international standard or have the potential play at that level.

The AASE Scheme

Full details of the AASE scheme are available elsewhere on this site and on the Gloucester Rugby website. The scheme is a joint venture with Gloucester Rugby that provides resources for the development of fitness, nutrition, video analysis, physiotherapy, lifestyle management, educational advice and guidance plus a managed playing programme. Places on the scheme are limited.

Competition

Hartpury provides an outstanding playing programme. We regularly put six teams in this age group. The Junior Academy 1^st XV play in the Northern Conference of the AASE league, the Super 16s schools’ competition, Rosslyn Park as well as playing against some of the best schools and colleges in the UK. A further 150 students at Hartpury, outside of the Junior Academy, play a variety of schools and colleges throughout the UK.

Strength & Conditioning

All Junior Academy members have two weights/power sessions with a full time Strength & Conditioning Coach. They also have one sprint session per week.

Fixtures, Results & Match Reports

All Hartpury College U18 fixtures can be viewed on the Schools’ Rugby website. Regular match reports & results also appear on the college website and on Schools’ Rugby.