A new rugby academy in Suffolk is hoping to find the next rugby superstar from this region.
The new partnership has been created by West Suffolk College and Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club.
Offering courses that will start in September 2022, students will be trained by ex-Premiership players as they try and get a foothold in the world of professional sport.
Ben Penfold is the club co-ordinator at Bury. He said: “I think the long term hope is that one of the players we support gets to the very top of the game – to have a poster girl or boy like that would be fantastic.”
Whilst hitting the heights of the rugby world is the ultimate aim – the academy partners are keen to improve the standard of the sport across the county.
Ben continued: “Ultimately this is a community scheme aimed at improving individuals. We don’t want to just pool all the talent here in Bury. The idea is for girls and boys to come here to get their training and education, they then go back to their clubs at the weekend better players.”
The link up that will create a college rugby academy for girls and boys aims to give learners the tools and environment to progress as high as possible. They will train between three and four times a week, learn about fitness and physio, get to understand video analysis and they will take part in gym sessions and matches.
Ben said: “The timetable is quite intense but we believe this will get the best out of everybody.”
Those on the programme will get to work with former professionals like London Welsh Premiership forward, Ben Cooper and benefit from the infrastructure and playing facilities of a team who currently sits tenth in National League 2 South. And whilst students and the College are delighted to be working with the rugby club, Bury is excited to be teaming up with one of the largest educational establishments in the region.
Ben added: “It’s brilliant to be working with West Suffolk College. It’s well established and I believe that this could be a successful partnership for years and years to come. It’s exciting to see where this journey takes us.”
Anthony Harvey is the Head of Sport at West Suffolk College.
He said: “We run a thriving, ambitious and progressive Sport Department at West Suffolk College, and what better way to continue with the development than to work with one of most ambitious rugby clubs in the region.
“My aim is to create an innovative industry driven rugby programme that not only helps young people progress to university or the sporting industry, but also produces players and coaches of the future.”
In terms of the academy ethos, we want to transfer outstanding education onto the pitch, ensuring young people reach their potential academically, and as sport practitioners, not just for Bury, but for the neighbouring clubs as well.”