Highland RFC

Senior Academy

The Academy was set up 3yrs ago with an aim of developing our better players to achieve their highest goal possible.
We were finding that although we were getting lots of players into the Pathway programme, we were struggling to get them into District trials and then the full Caledonia Age Group teams at U16/17 & 18.
This was due to a combination of, a lack of strength and conditioning programme, player’s skill levels needing improved and the players not being watched by the S.R.U RAC (Regional Academy Coach).

The Academy offers the athletes
Monday’s: Strength & Conditioning Session(S&C)
Wednesday’s: Rugby Skills Session
Thursday’s : Running Session

The rugby skills session is run by our Development Officer, experienced coaches and in addition Colin Phillips the Regional Academy Coach (RAC) for our area runs a session once a month.
Strength & Conditioning sessions are run by specialist coaches at Inverness College Gym, and the Running sessions by Sprint Coach – Colin Baillie.

We have a maximum of 9 players in the Academy, with ages ranging from 14- 17. We don’t always run with the max amount of players as we are only targeting those we believe have a chance to compete both regionally and nationally.

The players commit to the programme set for them and to give max effort at all times. They are also tasked when back in their club squads of raising the standard of their team mates. They are continually assessed and every term there is a formal review with academy coaches.


Players are made very aware of responsibilities that come with being an Academy athlete:
• Max effort at all times
• Time Management
• Help raise standards of fellow players
• Goal Setting
• Respect


Junior Academy
To help identify players deemed suitable to move into the Senior Academy, the Junior Academy was set up.
The Junior Academy gives the players chosen an extra 40min rugby skills session held on a Wed at 6pm, and a running session on Thursdays. They are generally younger than Senior Academy athletes and we find this works well as a transition.

Players are selected for the Junior Academy by the following process:
1. Academy coach asks age group coach for nominations.
2. Players are taken in for a 6 week trial.
3. During the trial period coaches are looking for the athlete to show a willingness to learn, commitment to the programme and be of a good playing standard.
4. Feedback given and goal setting carried out.

Selection into the Academy is never a closed book. Players can come in and out at anytime. We look to take U14 players in around the middle of their season due to the SRU Pathway nomination process that takes place in early January. This then gives the players the time to reach the required standards for this programme.

Club Players
We like to think we give all our players an opportunity to reach their potential in rugby, and the Academy in no way takes our focus away from that. To that end on top of our weekly coaching sessions it is our intention to run specialist positional skills sessions for all club members.
Players develop at different ages and we are continually assessing all our players, so just because Player A doesn’t get selected for a place at 14yrs old it wouldn’t stop him progressing to the Academy at 15 or 16.

Outcomes
Proof that the system is working for the club is in the fact that this season we have 2 players in the Scotland U17 extended squad, 1 in the Scotland U16 extended squad and 1 U18 Caledonia player, a very good return for a club of our size.
Three of our athletes are now supported by the Highland Institute Sport (HIS).

Comments/Suggestions
We are a very open and honest club and are always looking for feedback on our efforts. Please feel free to get in touch with both positive/negative comments and ideas for how we can grow and drive the club forward.
We are happy to hold a get together if parents/players would find that beneficial.

Senior Academy Contact – Chris Brogan (Christopher.Brogan@btinternet.com)
Junior Academy Contact – Brian Crush (B.Crush@tiscali.co.uk)

Highland Rugby Academy Coaches
Chris Brogan (Senior Academy -Rugby),(Graham McKenzie (S&C),Colin Baillie M.B.E (Senior and Junior Academy -- Running),Sinclair Patience(S&C),Brian Crush( Junior Academy -Rugby),Andrew Begg (S&C),Gary McKenzie(S&C).
And supported by John Carson(Highland RFC – Director of Junior Rugby)