The York City Knights Scholarship scheme was originally launched in 2004, presenting an opportunity for gifted players from the local area to come together and receive high quality coaching in a professional environment.  The scholarship program was designed to supplement the good work done by the amateur clubs within the North Yorkshire Service Area.

Since then the scholarship scheme has developed with more athletes and coaches being involved than ever before. The programme starts in September and follows the school year as players develop their skills further with the aim of establishing themselves on the RFL Performance Pathway.

Five years on and we are beginning to see the benefits of the scheme as the standard of Rugby League in North Yorkshire continues to increase. Training takes place at Huntington Stadium, Monks Cross York.

As a scholar you will be welcomed into a professional club and we will help you develop both as an athlete and as a person as well as receive coaching from the York City Knights scholarship staff.

The players involved are the most talented and promising fourteen to sixteen year olds in the area and for this reason we insist on high standards during the training sessions. 

The players are encouraged to produce a high standard of core skills, which include grip, pass and catch, skills which are fundamental to our game. The training drills are often very similar to the ones taking place at the Knights first team and academy training sessions, enabling players to become familiar with the standards needed to make it to a high level in the game.

In addition to any Rugby training session, the scholarship players are given educational talks with regards to fitness, drugs and alcohol, injury prevention, nutrition and game preparation in order for them to develop as responsible young adults. 

This all makes for a very productive set up for young players who we hope will benefit both the professional and amateur game in the York area over the coming years. Further evidence that the system is working came recently when Eddie Smith, Jamie Stuart and Joe Dey signed first team contracts with the Knights from the U’16’s scholarship scheme. All 3 players have been on the scheme for the past four years and have benefited from the expert coaching and advice.