College News

QE Rugby Academy Launched

QE is delighted to announce a new Rugby Academy for September 2016.

QE’s Rugby Academy, launched in partnership with Darlington Mowden Park RFC, will give talented and aspiring players the opportunity to maximise their sporting potential alongside a first class education.

The College has longstanding links with Mowden Park as the Rugby Club originated from Darlington Boys’ Grammar School, the forerunner of the present College.

A typical week for an Academy player will be split between the College site and the Northern Echo Arena, giving access to some of the best facilities in the North East. Academic and sporting timetables will be carefully designed to ensure that players have maximum contact time with the professional coaches, players and support staff to drive their rugby development, whilst also balancing academic study needs.

Academy students can expect weekly contact with the Mowden Park Director of Rugby, 1st XV Strength & Conditioning Coach, 1st XV Players, Physios and Academy Manager. In addition, specialists and industry professionals will provide expert support and input into areas such as nutrition and sports psychology. There’ll also be opportunities for students to gain additional qualifications in areas such as coaching and First Aid.

Lee Rust, Managing Director of Mowden Park, commented:
‘’We are delighted to be launching the Rugby Academy with QE who have such a strong academic reputation and a longstanding relationship with the Club. Over the past 18 months we have spent a lot of time developing our Club and Community pathway models and the QE Rugby Academy marks another significant step forward.’’

Mowden’s Director of Rugby, Danny Brown, further added:
‘’As a region we have a strong heritage of developing young players who go on to great things. This partnership represents an exceptionally exciting opportunity for aspiring players to access and benefit from a professional rugby environment alongside high quality education.

Whilst the Academy will support players with rugby development during their College time and progression opportunities thereafter, we are very keen to maintain responsible relationships with local clubs. Players do not have to play for Mowden Park – quite the opposite, we will be encouraging players to stay with their clubs and will work closely with club coaches. Mowden Park will purely provide the athlete support and facilities for QE Academy students.’’

QE’s reputation for academic excellence is well known and Academy athletes will have full access to the College’s extensive range of study options.

QE’s Principal, Tim Fisher, expressed his thoughts on the Rugby Academy:
‘’We are extremely pleased to be introducing this exciting new initiative with Mowden Park. Our success and popularity as a College are built upon our commitment to providing students with personalised study programmes which meet their individual needs. The partnership with Mowden Park will widen the extensive sporting opportunities available and give Academy students access to world class facilities. Mowden’s holistic approach is something that mirrors our own and we are very much looking forward to enrolling our first Rugby Academy students.’’

There will be an Open Evening for all interested students and parents, this will be held at The Northern Echo Arena on Tuesday 23rd February at 6pm. For further information regarding the Rugby Academy, please call into QE in Vane Terrace, Darlington, ring 01325 461315 or email: enquiry@qeliz.ac.uk Alternatively, email Academy Manager, Michael Garmston michael.garmston@mowdenpark.com