university women's rugby academy
access to specialist coaching and performance services
We offer talented women’s rugby players the chance to study and play in an environment that’s as close as it gets to a professional club. We have an outstanding track record of developing players as well as preparing them for a career beyond their sport.
You’ll learn from some of the best coaches at Hartpury. We’ll support you to achieve excellence in your academic studies and your rugby. Our students have gone on to play in World Cups, represent their international sides and play in the top women’s rugby leagues.
More than 20 England Under-20s and 10 senior England squad members have come through the programme here, including Women’s Rugby World Cup winners Alex Matthews and Ceri Large. A number of players have also earned full-time 7s and full-time 15s contracts.
We also have extensive links with the USA, Hong Kong, France and Canada, providing opportunities to travel and play abroad. While you’re with us, you can gain invaluable work experience and build links for your future career.
We design your timetable with you in mind, meaning you'll get the best from your qualification and your training. As well as weekly sessions from dedicated coaches, you’ll have opportunities to compete against some of the best college sides in the country.
If you’re over 17 and have special dispensation (applied for by us and approved through Gloucestershire Rugby Union) you could be part of our senior Gloucester-Hartpury programme. Players will need to demonstrate the ability to cope physically and mentally with senior rugby.
Find out more about Gloucester-Hartpury Women RFCOur Hartpury University Women’s Rugby Academy will be holding assessment days on Thursday 23 February 2023, 10:00am – 1:00pm and Sunday 21 May 2023, 11:00am — 2:00pm, for any prospective university students for the forthcoming academic year (September 2023). These assessment days are for rugby players who are looking to apply for an academic course here at Hartpury University and are designed to give both players and parents an introduction to the Women’s University Rugby Academy.
It is strongly advised that all those wishing to be part of the Women’s Rugby Academy attend one of these days, as it is hoped that any unanswered questions regarding the rugby provision at Hartpury University will be able to be answered, in addition to students getting an initial feel for the level of the women’s rugby programme that is provided.
Hartpury is proud to be a Rugby Football Union University Partner in recognition of its commitment to further enhancing the rugby experience for its students.
As the sport’s governing body in England, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) continues to give a huge endorsement to the work of its 14 partnership universities, which includes Hartpury, to develop rugby union.
Facilities
Improve all aspects of your game on-site with access to our specialist facilities. Three grass pitches provide and an all-weather 3G pitches provide the perfect surface to play rugby on. Our main pitch has seating for more than 450 spectators and the 3G is tested to IRB regulations.
Our Sports Academy facilities give you access to power gyms and treatment suites, as well as human performance and biomechanics labs.
I had a great time at Hartpury and it definitely helped me as it provided a really high quality of coaching and gave me the opportunity to get one-on-one advice to help me achieve my individual goals.”
You'll find details of all Hartpury sporting and team fixtures and results as well as competition and event information via our platform below.
View fixtures and results
Our students go on to change the lives of professional athletes, as well as the people involved in community and school sports. They also graduate with valuable skills to succeed in a range of different careers.
We're home to top-level coaches, sport and exercise scientists, nutritionists, conditioners, medics and athletes, across 10 Sports Academy programmes, as well as our student-led rugby team, Hartpury RFC. Our Sports Academies have produced over 200 international sports stars over recent years.
Our outstanding sports facilities mean you can develop your skills as an industry specialist would.
You’ll benefit from some of the UK’s most advanced sports technology including an anti-gravity treadmill, altitude chamber, high-tech 3D tracking cameras and high-resolution digital mirrors.
