Berkshire RFU County youth representative rugby is open to all players who play rugby for their school or club in Berkshire or who live or were born in Berkshire.
England Rugby Player PATHWAY
The player pathway is a development programme that complements school and club playing programmes, providing further development opportunities.
The Purpose of the pathway is to support the development of a broad base of players within each County, with a focus on skill development and acquisition, game understanding and the physical components that help a player unlock their potential.
In Berkshire, U15 and U16 boys and U16 Girls have the opportunity for selection into the England Rugby Pathway Programme.
To be selected into the Berkshire pathway, assessment days are allocated (between July and late September usually) and details are provided to all Berkshire clubs and schools for coaches to make their player nominations. Parents are not permitted to nominate their own child to be assessed for the pathway.
Boys Pathway is operated on behalf of England Rugby by Bath Rugby.
Girls Pathway is operated on behalf of England Rugby by Berkshire RFU.
For more details, please contact NICOLA BROOKS (GIRLS LEAD FOR CB RUGBY AND YOUTH COMPETITIONS) AND MArk pett-ridge (Boys lead for CB rugby and Youth Competitions)
Nicola Brooks
Girls Youth Rugby Chair
Mark Pett-Ridge
Boys Youth Rugby Chair
CONTACT DETAILS:
Email – Nicola_j_brooks@hotmail.co.uk
Mobile – 07970 071 794
Email – mpettridge@aol.com
Mobile – 07742 338 572
Boys PATHWAY (U15 and U16)
In Berkshire the Boys Pathway is operated on behalf of England Rugby by our Premiership Academy Partner Bath Rugby, Foundation Phase sessions are run approximately weekly throughout the season (with breaks usually at half term/Christmas/easter).
There is no specific ‘Berkshire’ playing opportunities in Boys Pathway but 3 or 4 playing opportunities each season are provided through the pathway at U15 and U16 ages.
Players in the pathway at U16 are automatically invited to be assessed to be part of the Berkshire U17 playing squad.
In Berkshire Boys pathway sessions for both age groups (U15 & 16) are usually held on Mondays or Wednesdays.
Girls PDGFP (U16)
Berkshire RFU runs the girls U16 Player Development Group Foundation Stage (PDGFP) on behalf of England Rugby. This is a DUAL age band programme including girls who are U15 AND U16.
U16 Girls PDGFP sessions are run approximately twice each month from August/September through to the end of March or early April, with 3 or 4 playing/development opportunities between December and April when the PDGFP concludes each season. PDGFP Sessions are usually held on a Friday.
Girls can be selected from the PDGFP to go forward for assessment for the Player Development Group (PDG) at U17 and U18. This programme is the girl’s equivalent of the Academy programme for boys at U16/17 and 18.
Berkshire U17 Boys
Berkshire RFU runs the girls U16 Player Development Group Foundation Stage (PDGFP) on behalf of England Rugby. This is a DUAL age band programme including girls who are U15 AND U16.
U16 Girls PDGFP sessions are run approximately twice each month from August/September through to the end of March or early April, with 3 or 4 playing/development opportunities between December and April when the PDGFP concludes each season. PDGFP Sessions are usually held on a Friday.
Girls can be selected from the PDGFP to go forward for assessment for the Player Development Group (PDG) at U17 and U18. This programme is the girl’s equivalent of the Academy programme for boys at U16/17 and 18.
Berkshire U18 Boys
The U18 season is very short, usually concluding in December or early January.
Berkshire Select a relatively small squad of players into the U18 squad (usually 30-35 boys). Players are selected purely on ability/aptitude for their chosen position. We aim to select the very best players available for each playing position from the boys who are assessed each season.
The final 23 man squad will go forward to play 2 other Counties from the England South West Division and from this earn a place (possibly) in the England South West Division U18 squad. Who then go on to play either England Counties North, Midlands or London & South East.
We usually play a warm-up fixture in early November and then from this, the final squad is selected to play in the England Counties South West Divisional matches in December (sometimes January).
Berkshire U18 Girls
Similar to the Boys U18 Programme, the Girls U18 County Programme concludes by the end of February each season but as with all girls’ age bands this is a DUAL age band and therefore includes U17 and U18 players.
Berkshire U18 Girls are selected from all schools/clubs within Berkshire. This programme is a playing programme with 3 playing opportunities for the squad of selected girls.
Berkshire also offer a NON SELECTED U17 Programme for ANY girl playing for their school or club in Berkshire. We provide this as a means of improving and enhancing the skill base of U17 and U18 girls playing rugby in Berkshire.
Girls selected into the Development Group Programe MAY NOT permitted to play County rugby it is at the discretion of the Centre of Excellence Manager and on an individual girl by girl basis.
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Updated 23 May 2025
