Academy
Our Mission
"To achieve the highest possible standards in all that we do. Through an elite and progressive academy environment with its foundations in humility, honesty, discipline and work ethic. We aim to provide the best opportunity for player to maximise their rugby potential"
Bristol England Rugby Academy
The Bristol England Rugby Academy is one of the leading elite rugby academies in the UK. The RFU academy programme was initiated in 2001 with 14 licenses being granted nationwide.
The objective of the Academy is to enhance the rugby performance of identified potential elite rugby players and to enhance their personal, educational and social development.
The Bristol Academy is based at Clifton Rugby Club which has outstanding facilities for the delivery of a programme that incorporates not only rugby specifics but uses the latest sports science developments to enhance the rugby programme and support the players.
Components such as strength and conditioning, sports medicine, physiology, psychology and nutrition form an integral part of the programme. Presented by specialists in their field, these components provide the best care and development opportunities for the players.
Bristol Academy pathway
The Bristol Rugby Academy has a comprehensive talent identification and development pathway for players from ages of 13 to 24 yrs old. Highly talented players can enter the pathway at any point, although it is intended for players to enter the program as early as possible
The pathway starts with the U12 Pilot Project. This is an initiative aimed at increasing Bristol Rugby’s awareness of player ability at that age group in the Bristol area. Players are either nominated by their clubs and schools or are selected by the Community Coaches or through invitation from the Super Sunday events.
Players in this group will attend up to 3 sessions held at the Bristol training base at Clifton RFC, where they enjoy a day of generic sports games, rugby games, and some skills training.
The next step on the pathway is the Bristol Schools of Rugby (SoR), which provides the base for selection into the Bristol Academy EPDG (Elite Player Development Group). Players in the Schools of Rugby are not considered part of the Bristol Academy unless they are selected for the EDPG.
The most talented players at U13's & U14's are selected for the EPDG Bronze Group, which trains at the club 5 times a year based around the school holidays.
Full-time Academy member George Watkins is now a first team regular
Talented Players at ages 15-18yrs who are identified as having future professional potential are selected for the EPDG Silver (U15's & U16's) or Gold (U17's & U18's) Groups which train at the club twice a week.
The Bristol England Academy players are those full time players on Academy contracts who are fully integrated into the 1st Team squad at Bristol RFC. Each player has an individual development plan which aims to develop them to a level where they may earn a First Team Contract.
The individual development plans incorporate all aspects of player development, which includes technical, tactical, physical and psychological aspects.
To find out all the up to date information on the EPDG and Bristol Schools programme, visit the Forum by clicking here
Rugby Groups in Bristol explained
To find out more about Rugby Groups in Bristol, visit here
