Newport High School Rugby Academy
Following the Dragons U16s season a select group of players are invited to join the Dragons Junior Academy. The Junior Academy players will attend Newport High School, for their mainstream education whereby the Academy staff are able to access the players on a daily basis to deliver a comprehensive 2 year development programme.
The school has undergone significant change since it opened in 2009 in it’s new 28 million pound facility. It has quickly developed a reputation as a solid educational establishment for students of all ages. Through the Newport West Partnership, the High School is able to offer a broad range of educational qualifications catering for all levels and abilities.
The High School will synchronise all of the players timetables allowing the Academy coaches access to them as a group, on a daily basis, to deliver approximately 15 hours of rugby training time per week. In addition to this the players will either play for the Dragons U18s, Dragons Senior Academy or their Club Team.
At Newport High School we fully recognise that each players mainstream education is the most important aspect of their development in this two year period. The Junior Academy Manager is based on site and liaises on a daily basis with the School tutors and is able to tailor or reduce their rugby programme if anyone is falling behind with their studies. Additionally, the Academy is fully
integrated into the School’s discipline policy whereby a player can be withdrawn from the rugby programme for any behavioural issues.
The Academy programme aims to provide a complete and robust development route that monitors and assesses training and playing commitments of academy players to ensure that the player’s potential is maximised. The programme is made up of 6 key elements.
These are: -
• Technical Development
• Tactical Development
• Physical Development
• Mental Development
• Nutritional Development
• Holistic Development
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In essence, the Academy gives total professional advice and guidance as to how the individual can maximise his potential as a person on and off the field of play.
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Better the INDIVIDUAL, Better the PLAYER, Better the TEAM
