A seal of approval has been given to Peterborough Regional Colleges Rugby Development Centre after they recently succeeded in obtaining the Rugby Football Union and British Colleges Sport Community Rugby Accredited College Award, the only college in area to have received such a prestigious award.

The College now has a Rugby Development Centre which aims to take talented players and develop their skills to a higher level, with the aim of them becoming professional/semi-professional players. The programme is a collaboration between Peterborough Regional College, Spalding RFC, Thorney RUFC, Peterborough Lions RFC and Peterborough RUFC.

Peterborough Regional College set up its Development Centre this year and the rugby programme which attracts players from throughout the region earned Accredited College status from the RFU in recognition of the commitment to the developing grassroots rugby through local links and partnerships.

To achieve the award the college had to meet standards in a wide range of criteria, which include academic courses, volunteer opportunities, coaching (including a Level 2 coach at the college), refereeing courses, community and club links, entering competitions, and facilities for training, playing and medical care.

Through this programme students gain a National Diploma in Sport which offers them the chance to apply for places in university in subjects such as sport science or sport studies.

College Rugby coach Phillip Sammons said, With so many clubs in the area and many of their younger players on course at Peterborough Regional College, Lewis Capes and I decided to try and rekindle rugby at the College. With a good response from all areas of the College, we now have a squad of around 20 players who play for us on a regular basis.