The Ridings High School Rugby Academy
This is the first Sporting Academy of its kind to be established at The Ridings High School.
“The aim of the programme is to combine the school’s long standing academic excellence with its sporting success” said Richard Vivian, the former London Wasps scrum half, now teaching at the school. “Rugby has moved on so much in the last five years. When I was 17 the game had only just turned professional, with clubs like wasps wanting to keep their young players and thereby giving them contracts. That isn’t the case anymore - young players need time to develop both physically and mentally. There are exceptions of course but it is more infrequent.”
The school aims to provide a link for those children who are not only exceptional sportsmen/women, but are also academically minded, and the school’s exceptional ‘A’ Level results over the last five years gives the best opportunity for further education at University. Each child involved in the Academy will have the knowledge and skills required to maximise their sporting and academic potential.
Mr Vivian went on to say “If the players in our Academy can reach the potential they are capable of and go off to University, they stand a better chance of making the respective 1st teams and catching the eye of clubs in the National Leagues. Ryan Jones, the Welsh and British Lion No8, arrived at University in my second year; he developed his game, got fitter and look where he has ended up. Here at The Ridings High School one of our recent old boys Dave Attwood signed with Bristol, choosing to be a full time student at Bristol University. He has gone on to play for England at U21 level, and made his premiership debut this season. Both of these young men understood the importance of continuing with their education. Rugby is a sport with a high level of injuries, it is vital that players have something to fall back on if needed and that is the driving force behind this Academy.”
For a full list of courses available at The Ridings High School please contact the school on 01454 252000
