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What is the Connacht Rugby Academy?
The Connacht Rugby Academy is a program that identifies and develops indigenous players with potential to play for Connacht and Ireland. How does a player get into the Connacht Rugby Academy?Identification & Screening of players for Academy is done through...
Selection of players for the Academy is based on the following criteria...
Player potential is assessed under four main categories:
Opportunities will be created for entry by late developers and talented athletes from other disciplines. What is the Connacht Elite Player Pathway?The Elite Player Pathway is a process that is used in the identification and screening of players the province of Connacht. U14
How is the Connacht Rugby Academy StructuredThere are two levels in the Connacht Rugby Academy...Level 1
Level 2
What does the Connacht Rugby Academy do for the player?A player selected for academy entry will be directed into a personal development programme that is geared primarily to ensuring that his capacities and abilities as a rugby player are maximised.The player will be supported by academy staff, specialist coaches, sports scientists and medical staff as appointed by the Academy Manager. All areas of physical, technical, tactical, psychological and lifestyle development will be supported that are appropriate to the player's development. Can an Academy player still go to university/college?Yes. It is vital that you pursue your education as well as your development as a rugby player. Rugby players retire early (normally in their 30's) and few will ever earn sufficient not to have to work beyond that. Injuries too can interrupt your rugby career so it is important to have an alternative career path to turn to. The programme that has been put in place by the Academy aims for the comprehensive holistic development of the player, so it is very important that players get the mix right between study and training. To cater for this, sessions are usually scheduled in early morning or in the evening after college.What happens if an Academy player doesn't make the grade?At present, there are about 130 full time rugby players within the Irish system, many of these from overseas. As there are currently about 70 Academy players in the system, there may not be a vacant position in the pro game for everyone. Hence, coupling the rugby development with a suitable academic and career development plan is a very high priority.Are the Academy players contracted?Approximately 3 - 4 players are contracted to Level 2 of the Academy each year. They can be contracted for a period of one, two or three years depending on their performance and potential. Contracts are only offered to players that have completed Secondary School education. Who do Academy players play for?Academy players will be required to play for club teams/squads that provide levels of competitive exposure appropriate for this development. The player shall play or train for his club, province or national team with the approval of the Academy Manager and such approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. However, in the interests of the proper development and protection of the player the Academy Manager must in his sole discretion be entitled to refuse permission for the player to play with his club in any game or games or train with his club at any times. Players will play no more than 30 games per season that will include..
If selected into an academy will I automatically become a professional rugby player with Connacht?No. There are no guarantees. Whilst you will be given all the assistance, progress through to the professional ranks will be down to the speed of your development, your personal drive and ambition and positional vacancies in the pro team. The only guarantee is that you will become a better player as a result of being involved in the Academy. |
| Last Updated ( Sunday, 20 September 2009 19:35 ) |  |
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