Latest NewsFive Bristol Rugby Apprentices Are Selected For Bristol Rugby In The B + I Cup
A record five Filton College players have been selected by Bristol Rugby in a single match day squad to compete in the British and Irish Cup on Friday 10th December against Nottingham Rugby, 19.45 kick off.
Four of the players have left the college in recent years and all have been part of the club based Apprenticeship programme (AASE Scheme) run at the college.
Prop forward Tim Brockett, now of Dings RFC, left the college in 2007 and was in the very first cohort of Bristol Rugby AASE scholars. He has since gone onto complete his degree at UWIC in Cardiff and was selected for England students along the way.
Lock Darren Barry is well known to Bristol supporters and has been a regular feature in the match day squad in the Championship over the past two seasons. Darren was the college 1st XV captain in the 2007-8 season and finished his in the summer of 2008. He was subsequently signed straight up by the Bristol Academy after a very strong season.
Centre Jack Gadd was the college 1st XV captain in the 2008-9 season, taking over the reigns from Darren. In 2009, he was selected for Wales U18’s whilst still at College and was signed up by Bristol Academy shortly afterwards.
The fifth player is in fact a current AASE scholar and is still playing for the college 1st XV at the moment. Mitch Eadie becomes the first college player to be picked for a Bristol senior side whilst still studying at college, a testament to his physical conditioning. Mitch is currently studying for a diploma in sport and hopes to progress onto the Bristol Rugby Scholarship scheme at UWE next season. Last season, Mitch played for Scotland U18s and is currently in the U20 training squad. On Friday night he will be on the bench for Bristol and will be eager to get onto the field to emulate the success of the other four ex-college players.
Become a Bristol Rugby Apprentice:
The Bristol Rugby Apprenticeship (AASE Scheme) is a relatively recent addition to the RFU Elite player pathway. The AASE programme is the preferred route for local and talented 16-19 year olds within full time education.
The initiative has been put together by the RFU Elite department in conjunction with the RFU Academy network. Those players involved compete in a tier one and national fixture programme (AASE League) that has been set up by the RFU Academy department, closely monitored by RFU Academy coaches and the England U18 National coaches.
There are 14 AASE centres based all around the country within the RFU regional academy set up, Bristol Rugby being one. Bristol Rugby was the first such centre to be given accreditation with its partner college (Filton College) and as such is the lead centre for the RFU.
How do I become a Bristol Apprentice?
If you are a talented 16 or 17 year old you can apply directly to the college and enter the trial system. For more information or to register an interest you can contact Liam Middleton (Bristol Academy Manger) lmiddleton@bristolrugby.co.uk, Andrew Webb (Head of Rugby, Filton College) Andrew.webb@filton.ac.uk or George Tavner (Bristol AASE Manager) George.tavner@filton.ac.uk.
You can also visit www.filton.ac.uk or http://rugbyacademy.publishpath.com for more information.
