York College Rugby Development Centre




In September 2007, the Knights launched the Rugby Development Centre at York College. The state art of the art facilities on offer, at the newly built College plays host to an excellent learning environment.

The programme is similar to and will run alongside the successful Football and Basketball Development programmes, combining the opportunity of academic and sporting success.  All participants on the programme are required to undertake a full time programme of educational study in addition to receiving the expert rugby coaching.   The students are free to study a wide selection of academic courses but participants must be aged between 16 and 19 years.

As we do not have a Junior Academy at the Knights the York College Rugby League Development Centre is an opportunity for players to receive expert coaching and facilitate in their development.  The programme is linked to the Reserve Grade Academy, formally known as the Under 21’s Academy, in that players are monitored and have the opportunity to impress and sign a contract if sufficient potential is shown.  Mark Wilson, is an example of this, Mark impressed throughout the year both in training and during games and as a result signed an Academy contract.  Sam Blaney, formerly on the Knights Scholarship as a youngster, signed from the Development Centre directly on a first team contract and made his first team debut earlier this year.

At the end of their debut season, the team quickly gained promotion after thrashing early opposition.  Within the same season, after being promoted to Division one, the York team went onto be league winners.  A tremendous achievement and is tribute to both the quality of players and set up at the college.  After impressing during their time, Sam Blaney and Mark Wilson were both offered contracts by the Knights.  Trials have already begun to select the talented individuals for next years in take.

For Further information please contact Paul Higgins, Rugby Development Centre Head Coach on 01904 758 234, or Gordon Staniforth, Centre Director, 01904 770400, email:gstaniforth@yorkcollege.ac.uk and finally the website www.yorkcollege.ac.uk/sportsdevelopmentcentre.

Rugby Development Flyer.