London Irish are calling for all 16 year-old rugby players who may be interested in a place on next year’s AASE scheme (Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence), to get in touch.
The club has places available on the scheme for the next intake in September 2010. If you are:
· currently in Year 11 and you are a talented, committed rugby player
· have the drive, ambition and desire to become a professional rugby player
· would welcome the opportunity to train on a daily basis at London Irish, alongside like minded-players whilst following your 6th form academic studies,
then the AASE scheme could be for you!
The AASE scheme offers the opportunity for talented young players to combine full-time professional rugby training at London Irish’s Sunbury training base with their education at our academic partner St. Pauls Catholic College.
St. Pauls Catholic College has an excellent academic track record and will provide options ranging from BTEC to A Levels to suit all academic abilities. It was praised in its last OFSTED report for its ‘excellent leadership’ and was described last year as ‘the most improved school in the area’. Indeed this year over 90% of students intent on going to university have achieved their first choice university. This year a new Head of 6th Form has been appointed whose academic focus is on teaching and learning and he is committed to the 6th form developing into responsible role models and learners. The individual pastoral support the 6th Formers receive is excellent. To access the school web page go to: www.st-pauls.surrey.sch.uk
London Irish Academy has an outstanding track record in developing young talent and giving it the opportunity to shine at Premiership and International level. Players such as Nick Kennedy, Delon Armitage, Alex Corbisario, David Paice, Topsy Ojo, Adam Thompstone and Tom Homer are all graduates and would love to have benefited from the AASE scheme if it had been available to them.
All apprentices train at the club on a daily basis Monday to Friday with their rugby timetabled to complement their academic studies. All apprentices follow a comprehensive skills development programme and receive individualised position specific coaching. They are placed on a well planned and monitored strength and conditioning programme and also take part in a full elite competition programme. On completion of the scheme, they graduate with an NVQ level 3 in Sporting Excellence as well as the academic qualifications they gain at St Pauls. This qualification is the equivalent to 2 A levels and is increasingly recognised by the main universities. All Apprentices will receive coaching from the club’s academy staff, Neal Hatley, Justin Bishop, Giselle Mather and Andre Quinn who will supervise their conditioning, technical, tactical and competitive growth.
All AASE apprentices will also complete their Level 1 RFU coaching award and gain valuable experience of coaching youngsters in the local community.
London Irish are holding a meeting on Tuesday 17th November2009 at 7pm in the bar at Sunbury. This meeting is for all prospective candidates where we will explain the programme and hopefully answer any queries or concerns that you may have. Our educational partner St Pauls Catholic College will also be present as will some of the current AASE boys, who will be available to talk about their experiences of the programme. The deadline for applications will be 24th November 2009. If you choose to apply you will then be invited to train with our Gold Elite Player Development groups so we can assess you and I will be able to inform you if you have been awarded a place just before Christmas.
If you’re a talented and ambitious rugby player with academic aspirations and are currently in Year 11 and are interested in a place for the next academic year (20010 – 2011) please send your playing and academic CV to the London Irish AASE Manager, Giselle Mather at giselle.mather@london-irish.com. If you intend to attend on the 17th November please could you also let me know by emailing me at the above address. We look forward to hearing from you.
Neal Hatley Giselle Mather
Academy Manager AASE Manager
