CB Schools of Rugby - Aim To develop and prepare highly skilled young players to play for England and the broader English Game, supported by an effective, well trained workforce of coaches and other personnel, delivered within a strong partnership of CBs, clubs, schools, and RFU Academies

Player Pathways Developing sporting pathways is the function and key responsibility of the National Governing Bodies of Sport – eg Rugby Union They are supported by a number of key partners including CSPs (County Sports Partnership eg Northamptonshire Sport) Youth Sport Trust Sport in Education), Sport England, UK Sport and Sports Coach UK Clubs and Schools are included in the key partners shown above Player pathways can be designed so that they develop those who will enjoy life-long recreational involvement in sport and develop those with talent.

Clarity Talented athletes win Olympic Medals, World Championship Medals, World Cups etc Talented athletes are BORN not made, they are special and very rare Talent DOES NOT = Performance….yet! You can have all the talent in the world but if that talent isnt nurtured you wont perform

Latest Research Peak performance generally occurs after the age of 20 and has been achieved with hours of sport specific training. A greater proportion of elite athletes have not come through organised sports systems under the age of 11

Mass Participation The best form of Talent Identification is mass participation in sport Bill Sweetenham

Mass Participation Large numbers exposed to QUALITY provision…. Not necessarily sport-specific! RETAIN large numbers Educate the eye of coaches within the system with regard to Talent Identification

Mass Participation

Flaws Early success often confused with talent – the best youngsters do not necessarily become the best adult performers Talent elimination – often those with talent are eliminated because of early selection – football, tennis, gymnastics Traditionally we dont retain our athletes – attrition rates are very high, often those lost from one sport are lost from sport forever.

Targeted Talent Identification Champions are born not made! Genetics not only determine your performance but how you respond to training There are distinct physical profile for individuals in different sports – TID models established based on these characteristics

Psychological Characteristics of Excellence Game Understanding Skill and Conditioning levels Personality and Coach-ability Realising potential Stairway to Success Commitment/Drive Planning Evaluating Goal Setting Quality Practice Distraction/Focus

Talent Development However we identify it, talent requires nurturing – quality coaching, quality practice, appropriate competition, a managed environment, support (family/school/club, financial, medical, lifestyle)

Talent Development Models Set objectives at each stage of chronological or biological development Embrace principles of human growth and development Include skill development, knowledge, conditioning, strength and flexibility development, psychological development, recovery, training:competition ratios – Structured Season

CB Schools of Rugby - Aim To develop and prepare highly skilled young players to play for England and the broader English Game, supported by an effective, well trained workforce of coaches and other personnel, delivered within a strong partnership of CBs, clubs, schools, and RFU Academies

CB Schools of Rugby – What are they? Core curriculum for young players with potential. Select the top players with potential to play at the highest level Schools of Rugby REPLACE the CB development squads – they are NOT CB development squads by another name. A programme of skills development in young players. Not a program to develop players for County matches –matches will be a part of the programme but not the focus Whole programme must be high quality –Players selected, –Coaches who deliver, and the –Facilities and ancillary services that are available.

Operations Structured Season schedules dates for SoR to take place. –reduces overtraining and playing –eliminates conflict between various stakeholders within the game. –stakeholders (Schools, Clubs, CBs) must respect the placement of SoR sessions –SoR sessions take precedent over other rugby activities. Core curriculum is based upon nine sessions per annum being delivered on a monthly basis. CBs should schedule or allow at least two sessions for match preparation –CBs in conjunction with their respective academies may wish to schedule full day sessions during half-terms as part of the nine sessions.

Schools & Clubs CB Development & Assessment Days Divisional U16 to U18 Regional Academies U16 National Squads U18 National Squads Post 16 – U18 Development National Junior Academy E P D G National Academies ENGLAND U21 & U19 Squads England Counties ASPIRATIONALPERFORMANCE England Students Schools of Rugby

Talent Identification & Development Process Initial nomination Assessment Days On-going diagnostic and formative assessment

Changes for S of R being reviewed by each Constituent Body – completed May 08 Increased funding – Government funding through Sport England Regional Talent id and Development coach employed. Increase in S of R sessions – Nutrition, Lifestyle. Fitness in conjunction with Loughborough University Increased coach development and mentoring. Club Development programme : U10 – U12 Consider positive discrimination for front five forwards On line diary No S of R for U16 pre Xmas 08