As the 2015 Academic year begins the only full-time College Rugby League Academy in London based at Barnet and Southgate College have come back into training ahead of their upcoming season. Having received national accreditation ahead of the upcoming season through becoming an RFL Category 3 Academy, it is hoped a relaunched stand-alone Rugby League Academy will provide young people in London the opportunity to continue their playing development outside of the London Junior League set up.
Gaining Category 3 status recognises the elite pathway and structures in place at the College which has run a dual-code programme with Saracens Foundation for the past few years and constitutes a huge step forward for both the Academy and the game in London. The accreditation criteria looks at a mix of coaching standard, resources and the pathway in which the programme fits and the College passed with flying colours thanks to its access to top class facilities and links to professional routes. Since its inception, the Academy has had huge successes developing 3 England College Players, 3 Student Internationals, and 1 former Super-League player and current Championship player in the shape of London Bronco winger Iliess Macani. The Academy also has a link with ourselves here at London Skolars, with 4 former Barnet and Southgate College players currently contracted to the First Team.
Alongside the accreditation the Academy this year have promoted for the first time within the London Junior League system and we are delighted to welcome a number of new players onto the programme, 2 stand-out new-comers include Brixton Bulls player Julius Banks and London Skolars Junior Ben Woodward. Julius comes to us with great pedigree from Brixton Bulls and his time spent on the scholarship programme at London Broncos. We look forward to seeing Julius develop during his time with us. Another exciting new addition this year is hard-running prop Ben Woodward. Ben is a current London Skolars U17 player and has joined us from Enfield Grammar school, Ben is highly thought of by the coaches at London Skolars and again we are excited by his potential. Both players will add quality to what is an already exciting programme and as the promotion of the Academy gathers momentum we look forward to welcoming more London Junior League players to Barnet and Southgate College.
The current squad will now begin an extensive training programme, which includes Strength & Conditioning Sessions led by College staff and on field sessions led by Head Coach Matt Cuss, in preparations for their first fixture in November.
Anyone interested in the College Academy is invited to contact James Edgerley on:
James.Edgerley@barnetsouthgate.ac.uk
