The Hitchin RFC Academy

"Founded to give all players by means of continuous progressive and quality coaching, the opportunity to realise their full potential in the game of rugby union football."

Two years in the making, before being launched on St. George's Day, 23rd April 1998, The Hitchin Academy of Junior Rugby has gone from strength to strength. Underpinned by sponsors, RAC Insurance Direct and Sportsmatch the Academy initially concentrated on the U14 - U15 age group. 82 players responded to the first invitation and in less than two years this squad has now grown to over 150 players drawn from 53 schools and 17 clubs, ably supported and coached by players from Premiership clubs in the area.

Supported by former Welsh International Rugby Star, Paul Turner, The Hitchin Academy of Junior Rugby is increasingly being seen within the sport as a role model for the development of Rugby Union at grass roots level and has already drawn attention at the highest levels within the RFU.

In January 2000 Hitchin Academy Junior Rugby appointed Mick Carey as its first, Full Time Youth Development Officer (YDO). Mick's appointment, which is being supported financially by club sponsor, Willmott Dixon , Sportsmatch and the Hertfordshire Rugby Football Union, is another national first.

Mick, will, through the Hitchin Academy, provide continuous quality coaching in schools and clubs for as many as 3000 promising young players in the U14 - U18 age group.

What we achieve at Hitchin Rugby Football Club clearly illustrates that a level 8 club can still make a significant contribution to the game at youth level.

Mick Carey: 01767-310218
Brian Chapman: 01438-820664

When this newsletter is being read the last Academy training session of our third season will have been held. We have learnt a great deal since the Academy launch on April 23 1998 and been privileged to pass on our experiences at a number of meetings at the Rugby Football Unio5r (RFU) during the course of the last six months. It is an honest statement that our Club will have made a significant contribution to the policy which will shortly emerge from the RFU concerning the identification and coaching of good young players throughout the country and as part of a complete RFU playing structure.

The Club is indebted to Mike Rush (Managing Director, UK Civil Service Benefit Society Ltd) for coming to our financial assistance, when all seemed lost, and securing the Academy presence until April 2003. Most important to the Club's development in terms of its senior teams is not so distant future years has been the work carried out by Mick Carey in the last year. Building on the schools contacts made in the Academy Mick has made regular coaching visits to secondary schools in North Hertfordshire while also going about his visits in the County. An important indication of the return on his investments of time and expertise (and that by the Sponsors of his appointment - Willmott Dixon, Sportsmatch and the Hertfordshire RFU) was an attendance of 83 playe4rs, essentially newcomers to the Club, at the first Hitchin/Saracens Initiative which itself came into being thanks to Mike Hynard (Saracens Community Development Officer), the essential financial support of A.T.L. and the splendid publicity material provided by MgD Design.

This seasons Academy Report will be published shortly and will record the highs and the difficulties encountered along the way. The outcome being a positive contribution to the national development of our game by Hitchin Rugby Club.

-Brian Chapman, Chair, Hitchin Academy