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RFU FOCUS at Tresham College

RFU FOCUS at Tresham College PR Story

Tresham College has been selected to receive funding by the RFU to develop, support and increase its rugby offering

Over the past three years, the RFU has delivered a range of rugby programmes in over 200 colleges across England in order to further maximise rugby’s impact in the Further Education sector.

This season (2017/18) sees the RFU’s launch of a Focus Colleges programme, which will see the formation of robust partnerships with a number of colleges across the country to drive the development of rugby union for male and female participants in the sector.

Tresham College has been selected as one of 21 Focus Colleges this season.

Dan Burns, Head of Faculty / Tresham Academy Sport said: “Being selected is an honour for Tresham and allows us to support the growth of rugby and the continued development of our students. Tresham is committed to providing rugby opportunities to students alongside their studies. The ethos of rugby can support our students in achieving their sporting, academic and career goals.

“Tresham Rugby Academy, in partnership with Northampton Saints, provides students with the opportunity to access regular expert coaching and training as well as competition, as part of a balanced timetable that complements their studies. As an RFU Focus College, Tresham will provide students with the opportunity to continue playing and enjoying rugby and allow this to form a key part of their college experience.”

RFU FOCUS at Tresham College PR Story

Mark Saltmarsh, RFU Head of Education Development, said “Focus Colleges are a key pillar of the future of our work in the education sector.  We will work in partnership and even greater depth with these institutions with the aim of ensuring that more of those in the key 16 to 19 year old age band want to continue playing rugby into their adult years. The prospect of achieving our joint goal of keeping more young players on their rugby journey is a really exciting one.”

The selected colleges, including Tresham College will partner with the RFU at an appropriate level for the institution, from participation to performance, with emphasis on increasing the player base and developing rugby in three main areas:

Strength – Consolidating and continuing to develop rugby opportunities for college students

Transition– Improving the pipeline of players into clubs from colleges

Sustain – Improving player welfare, building capacity and improving the quality of coaches, referees and leaders in colleges

The RFU will provide support to Focus Colleges to assist them to deliver against pre-determined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) aligned to the three main areas above. The Focus College will receive funding over three years depending on the successful achievement against the KPIs.

Tresham College is part of The Bedford College Group.

RFU FOCUS at Tresham College PR Story
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