As part of our Year 12/13 Academy reviews we interviewed several regional Academy coaches. This one was with Greg Ward who recently took over as Head of Rugby at the established Mad Dog / Park House Academy in Newbury in the East of Berkshire.
But first we spoke to (former England International) Lewis Moody who set up the Mad Dog Academy in 2015 to find out about the ethos about the programme.
Founder – Mad Dog Rugby Academy
What made you start the Mad Dog programme?
After my own rugby playing career and recognising the values and ethos of the game that influenced my own personal journey, I decided to set up some rugby camps for 12-16year olds during the school holidays. They proved both successful and enjoyable and I recognised that we could help provide a platform that could support young men (young women in the future) through their academic journey by making rugby a key part of their focus while in school from 16-18. I developed a programme and we started with our first one at Melksham Oak Community School and now have three (with Royal Wootton Bassett Academy and Park House School in Newbury).
So is the focus of the academy primarily elite rugby?
No, it was set up to keep students engaged in school and ensure that we were working with them on their individual development for the benefit of their personal journeys. We hope that the environment created will help them enjoy their rugby, stay engaged in school and be informed about options when transitioning out of 6th form. If the by-product means that a player is picked up by an elite pathway (as has happened) then all the better.
We are so pleased when we speak to former students about their experiences at MD Academy, from those who joined as they ”wanted to get fitter” while pursuing musical careers to others who have progressed in their rugby and are currently playing in the championship. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the impact the programme has had on their confidence and overall development.
MAD DOG (PARK HOUSE SCHOOL) RUGBY ACADEMY
Greg, When did you start playing rugby?
Mad Dog Rugby / Park House Academy Manager
I started rugby when I was 10 at Royal Wootton Bassett RFC and feel in love with the game from the outset. I became more passionate about the game and continued playing from 10-19 at the same club. The team aspects of playing to your strengths and building on your weaknesses. I moved onto Southampton Solent University and studied Sports Science and while there was on a coaching mentorship scheme with England Rugby. I also played locally for Trojans RFC as well as coaching the Universities of Southampton Women’s rugby team. After Uni I joined “Street League” a youth charity working with NEAT(Not In Education, Employment or Training) 16–24-year-olds as a Youth and Community Rugby Coach running the programme based in Dagenham (Essex). Following on, I also coached at Harlequins as a community coach across London and SE. When a role at Mad Dog Rugby came about and based initially at my old school at Mad Dog Academy (Wootton Bassett) as assistant coach before moving up to take on the head coach role for Mad Dog Academy based at Park House.
Did you play any other sports or was rugby your only sport?
I was also a competitive swimmer and golfer but compared to rugby the team aspect and limited social element for me was not as fun so rugby became my main sport.
What is the set-up like at Mad Dog Academy (Park House)?
There are four strands that we focus on namely;
- RUGBY – (Playing 15’s before Xmas and Rugby 7’s thereafter)
- ATHLETIC DEVELOPMENT (Led By Johnny King of Hybrid Athletics)
- STRENGTH & CONDITIONING (Sessions include – Nutrition, Mental Health, Resilience, Stress Management & Leadership to name a few)
- TRANSITION
What makes Mad Dog rugby unique is that we currently have three programmes set up at different schools, this gives us the ability to have regular joint training sessions and inter Mad Dog triangular’s.
We record our training and matches and use Hudl as our analysis tool of choice. All the boys learn the benefits of analysis and self reflection through this platform.
We play both festivals and competitive matches against other schools as well as play in the Nat West Schools Cup, Mad Dog Cup and Rosslyn Park 7’s.
Our fulltime staff (not session based) include;
| ROLE | STAFF & SUPPORT |
| Head Coach | Greg Ward |
| Strength & Conditioning Coach | Johnny King of Hybrid Athletics (Session led) |
| Physiotherapist | Access provided |
| Transition | Tom Bowen-Hall |
How many players do you accept per year?
The programme runs over the two year period with Y12’s and Y13’s running as one squad. We take a maximum of 20 players per year group.
What is the process for being accepted to Mad Dog (Park House) Academy and is there a rugby trial?
Pupils/Players first need to apply to the school, selecting Mad Dog Rugby as an option. If entry requirements are met for their academic pathway, they are then offered an informal interview just to start to build an understanding about the person and what they want to do and achieve through the 6th form programme. There are open sessions but no trial as we are an “all inclusive” programme.
Do you offer day and weekly boarders at Mad Dog (Park House) Academy?
No, all our pupils need to be able to travel to Park House School, Newbury on a daily basis.
From an education perspective what options are available to students?
Students can study A ’level’s or BTECs at Park House School. Park House have a strong academic record within the rugby academy and the school is currently stated as “GOOD” by OFSTED (Nov 2019)
With the new season approaching what will a typical week look like for Mad Dog (Park House) Academy players?
| DAY | ACTIVITY |
| Monday | Mobility Session and S&C Session |
| Tuesday | On Pitch Rugby Session |
| Wednesday | Wellbeing session – Travel (if required) – GAME DAY |
| Thursday | Recovery/Low Intensity Session/Analysis |
| Friday Afternoon | NONE |
What other benefits do the Mad Dog (Park House) Academy get that we might not be aware of?
The squad train and play matches at Park House School. We also have a Friday night under lights at one of the local rugby clubs each year, to showcase our three academies and give parents the opportunity to support and socialise.
We have preseason during August at the school and always round it off with a joint day with our other schools.
All students have the opportunity to gain their coaching or officiating certificate through the RFU and they gain experience doing this with the lower school years.
They also have sessions led by former England rugby player Lewis Moody both on and off pitch, during their time with Mad Dog.
We offer a handful of deserving players the opportunity to travel to Belgium and France to visit the battlefields and connect with former rugby greats that lost their lives in the war.
Our coaches work 1-2-1 with players supporting their transition out of 6th form into their chosen field.
You mentioned one of the four pillars being Transition can you expand upon how do you work with the MD Academy players on career development and transition into further education or workplace?
We have a Head of Transition and Director of Operations (Tom Bowen -Hall) who works across the three Mad Dog Academy programmes so the Park House group benefit from this. We typically focus on different areas / activities as well as work with the boys on individual career focuses. Some examples are below;
| Institution/Activity | Opportunity |
| Bath University | Supported Campus/Sport department tour, course explanation and meeting with Head of Rugby |
| England RFU | A dedicated Mad Dog specific careers day at Twickenham focusing on the different roles you could do for the RFU |
| Zoom Sessions | There have been a wide range of Zoom meetings (during COVID) allowing the Mad Dog Academy players to understand how to get into specific areas and what a career in that area is like. Some notable calls were with; – National rugby physiotherapist – Rugby Broadcaster/Commentator – Construction & Property Expert – National 7s Event Founder |
| Individual University Focuses | Initial conversations have been started with Universities that the MD players are potentially interested in. Conversations with their Heads of Rugby have allowed for our players to seamlessly move from MD/club rugby into Uni rugby |
| Individual Career Focuses | Phone calls, work experience, meetings, visits, etc. have been set up for individuals with industry experts based around their post Mad Dog Academy career ambitions. |
Do you allow players to play for their clubs or county?
Absolutely yes! We work with the local clubs to monitor load and support the players with their goals and progression to senior rugby. We have some county players and others in DPP squads. For these boys we engage the club/county coaches to help support the players journey.
Who are some of the Mad Dog Academy Alumni and noting Park House, Newbury* specifically?
| PLAYER | UNI / CLUB / HONOURS |
| Ed G | University of Gloucester * |
| Reuben L | University of Bristol * |
| Ollie P | Cardiff University |
| Ben B | Leeds Beckett University |
| Spencer H | Berkshire U18 * |
| Cam M | Hampshire U18 * |
| Ellis S | Hampshire U18 * |
| Tyler H | Gloucester Academy |
We are also proud that several of our players have gone on into the Military Services which is a key support area for Mad Dog (Park House) Academy; Matt M (RAF), Kieran F (RAF), Charlie F (Army).
When players/parents are considering 6th form pathways what are the differences from your perspective that MD offers them compared to others ?
At Mad Dog Sport we run all-inclusive programmes, open to all abilities and backgrounds. They are tailored to supporting a students’ physical, mental, and social development through our wellbeing, athletic development, and rugby sessions.
Our coach mentors support the needs of the students on a 1-2-1 basis: instilling self-belief and resilience. In addition, through goal setting, they help with their continued personal development and their transition out of 6th form education into the workplace, apprenticeships, public service or higher education.
Finally, as the Academy Manager at MD/Parkhouse what would you say to your younger self if you were given the opportunity to join Mad Dog / Park House Rugby Academy?
“This is a fantastic opportunity, not just to develop you as rugby player but to also support your mental and physical journey through 6th form. It is a unique, fun and life enhancing experience that provides the perfect outlet away from normal school life. If I had this opportunity, I would do it in a heart beat!”
Greg Ward
Mad Dog Rugby / Park House Academy Manager
