By Tom Patrick 
Our U18 Academy kicks off their competition phase this weekend, starting with Sunday’s trip to Boys Club of Wales at Bridgend RFC. This marks the beginning of an exciting programme of fixtures, including a match against Ealing Trailfinders at Butts Park Arena on December 21st at 10:45, preceding the Championship clash at 15:00.
This competitive block will lead into further playing opportunities with The Lambs, Hartpury College, and Yorkshire Rugby Academy. Meanwhile, our U17 cohort looks forward to thrilling encounters against Exeter Chiefs, Sale Sharks, and a visit to the Scottish National Festival later this season.
The Academy programme continues to grow rapidly, now supporting over 200 ambitious rugby players from Coventry, Warwickshire, and the West Midlands. This pathway provides opportunities for players aged U15 to U23 to progress within our club’s structure.
Our U15 and U16 players benefit from weekly development sessions at our two Player Development Programme (PDP) sites, located at Broadstreet RFC and Stourbridge RFC. For U17 and U18 players, weekly Monday evening training sessions at the BPA prepare them for upcoming fixtures and, most importantly, the next steps in their rugby journey—be it with club, colts, senior teams, school, or university rugby.
The Academy’s strength is reflected in the outstanding level of school and club engagement during our trial nomination process, with over 600 players having been given the opportunity to trial to date. This growth is underpinned by our exceptional team of Academy coaches, most of whom also coach or play in the local club and school circuit.
We are also delighted with the success of our newly launched sixth-form rugby programmes at Barr’s Hill School (Coventry) and St. Regis CofE (West Midlands), which have already attracted over 100 applicants. These programmes ensure that all aspiring players in the region have access to elite rugby and high-quality education, forming a key pillar of our Academy strategy moving forward.
We hope you’ll join us on December 21st to support the U18s in their inaugural match at Butts Park Arena and help make it a memorable occasion for the team.
For further updates on the Academy or to learn how to get involved, please email our Academy Manager, Matthew Jones, at mjones@coventryrugby.co.uk.
Tickets for our Double-Header Match Day are available via the link below ⬇️
