SGS College | Be Outstanding

Covid Update

On Tuesday 29 March, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Sajid Javid, set out the next steps for living with COVID-19 in England from Friday 1 April.

Updated guidance advises:

  • Adults with the symptoms of a respiratory infection, and who have a high temperature or feel unwell, should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until they feel well enough to resume normal activities and no longer have a high temperature.
  • Children and young people who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home and avoid contact with other people. They can return to college when they no longer have a high temperature, and are well enough to attend.
  • Adults with a positive COVID-19 test result should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 5 days, which is when they are most infectious. For children and young people aged 18 and under, the advice is 3 days.

For education and childcare settings from Friday 1 April:

  • Regular asymptomatic testing is no longer recommended in any education or childcare setting, including in SEND, alternative provision and children’s social care settings. Therefore, we will no longer be able to order test kits .

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The Rugby Academy

SGS Male Rugby Academy is now recruiting student-athletes for the 2022 academic year. Apply online here.

All candidates for the Rugby Academy must be on a full-time course at SGS College. We offer a range of educational and vocational opportunities such as A-Levels, BTEC Qualifications and apprenticeships. We also offer a unique College Level to University pathway with a range of specialist degree qualifications at our University Centre WISE.

Candidates must also be over 16 from the start date of their chosen course. For more information, please contact our Director of Rugby at [email protected]

Join the Rugby Academy

We are consistently fielding three male playing squads; our elite compete in the RFU ACE League competing against some of the top rugby-playing schools in the country.

Proven Track Record of Development

The SGS Rugby Academy has a longstanding reputation of developing aspiring rugby players since its conception as one of the original academies at the college. As an academy we are committed to supporting each student-athlete to achieve their personal best on and off-field. There is a consistent drive to not only achieve high performance on the pitch but to being recognised nationally for our approach to talent development.

The SGS Rugby programme takes a holistic approach to talent development, focusing on not just the technical and tactical but the social, psychological and physical elements of development. Athletes will have access to a multi-disciplinary team of strength and conditioning coaches, medical staff, performance analysis and sports psychology.

The ACE Group will focus on the renowned RFU ACE League, 2nd XV fixtures against other ACE Schools and the RFU Academy League through our alignment with Bristol Bears. Our AOC Group represents SGS College in the AOC Cups and local 7s competitions.

As an academy we also strive to broaden our athletes experiences through an international tours. Previous tours have included South Africa, Canada, Japan, Italy and Spain.

Notable Successes

The SGS Rugby Academy is a proven pathway into professional rugby, through our partnership with Bristol Bears. It is the aspiration of many of our student-athletes to play professional rugby and it is the goal of the academy to support all in their aspriational targets, currently there are 16 former SGS Academy players in the first team or academy squad at Bristol Bears.

Our highly qualified coaches have a range of experience in the talent development realm, significantly in the Academy Pathway at Bristol Bears.

Our notable past students include Wales and British Lions international Taulupe Faletau, Italy International Jake Polledri, GB Sevens International Alex Davies and Bristol Bears regulars Joe Joyce, Andy Uren and Mitch Eadie.

We also consistently have athletes that represent National Age Grade sides for England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales on both the 15s and 7\'s circuit.

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SGS Sport

Rugby

Whether you're a top-level athlete or you just want to give something a go, you can get involved with Sports Academies, the competing arm of SGS Sport. Students can 'bolt on' a sports academy alongside their full-time study programme.

Our Partners:

The Rugby Academy

SGS Male Rugby Academy is now recruiting student-athletes for the 2022 academic year. Apply online here.

All candidates for the Rugby Academy must be on a full-time course at SGS College. We offer a range of educational and vocational opportunities such as A-Levels, BTEC Qualifications and apprenticeships. We also offer a unique College Level to University pathway with a range of specialist degree qualifications at our University Centre WISE.

Candidates must also be over 16 from the start date of their chosen course. For more information, please contact our Director of Rugby at [email protected]

Join the Rugby Academy

We are consistently fielding three male playing squads; our elite compete in the RFU ACE League competing against some of the top rugby-playing schools in the country.

Proven Track Record of Development

The SGS Rugby Academy has a longstanding reputation of developing aspiring rugby players since its conception as one of the original academies at the college. As an academy we are committed to supporting each student-athlete to achieve their personal best on and off-field. There is a consistent drive to not only achieve high performance on the pitch but to being recognised nationally for our approach to talent development.

The SGS Rugby programme takes a holistic approach to talent development, focusing on not just the technical and tactical but the social, psychological and physical elements of development. Athletes will have access to a multi-disciplinary team of strength and conditioning coaches, medical staff, performance analysis and sports psychology.

The ACE Group will focus on the renowned RFU ACE League, 2nd XV fixtures against other ACE Schools and the RFU Academy League through our alignment with Bristol Bears. Our AOC Group represents SGS College in the AOC Cups and local 7s competitions.

As an academy we also strive to broaden our athletes experiences through an international tours. Previous tours have included South Africa, Canada, Japan, Italy and Spain.

Notable Successes

The SGS Rugby Academy is a proven pathway into professional rugby, through our partnership with Bristol Bears. It is the aspiration of many of our student-athletes to play professional rugby and it is the goal of the academy to support all in their aspriational targets, currently there are 16 former SGS Academy players in the first team or academy squad at Bristol Bears.

Our highly qualified coaches have a range of experience in the talent development realm, significantly in the Academy Pathway at Bristol Bears.

Our notable past students include Wales and British Lions international Taulupe Faletau, Italy International Jake Polledri, GB Sevens International Alex Davies and Bristol Bears regulars Joe Joyce, Andy Uren and Mitch Eadie.

We also consistently have athletes that represent National Age Grade sides for England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales on both the 15s and 7's circuit.

How to Apply

If you are looking to join our College Academy on a full time Level 1-3 course on either a BTEC or A-Level program then please apply online for the course you want below.

Full-Time Application Form Applying Online Full-Time Courses

Degree Program and UCAS

If it is our degree program you are interested in then please click below to see the full list of courses we offer. Then for help with applying through UCAS please email Bev Awre ([email protected]).

University Courses

Meet Our Staff

Choisze To

Choisze To

Operation Lead
View Bio

Choisze To

Operation Lead

-Former Hong Kong international player
-International coach and team manager
-National Championship Gold medal winning coach
-Provides expert insight into Chinese training and elite performance
-Master Degree in Sports Management and Bachelor Degree in Business Administration

Connor Sidley-Adams

Connor Sidley-Adams

Learning Area Manager, Extra Curricular Programmes
View Bio

Connor Sidley-Adams

Learning Area Manager, Extra Curricular Programmes

Coming soon.

Danny Williams

Danny Williams

Coach - Rugby
View Bio

Danny Williams

Coach - Rugby

Former SGS College and Bristol Academy player, Danny Williams has been part of the Rugby Academy coaching staff for 13 years and has won numerous Local, National and International titles with SGS as a result of his hard work. Working predominantly in the development programme ensuring all players at SGS Rugby have a great experience whilst here and leave not only as better players but better people. Danny has coached at senior level around the Bristol Combination and at County Level and has good relationships with clubs and coaches around the South West.

“Having been through the SGS Rugby Pathway myself I know the hard work and dedication needed, I can relate in all aspects to what the current learners are experiencing and offer my help and support when needed.”

Dan Cox

Dan Cox

Director of Rugby
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Dan Cox

Director of Rugby

Currently a Level 3 coach and doctoral student (PhD) at the University of Edinburgh, Dan has extensive experience of coaching and coach development over the last 12 years. He has been a staff member at SGS College since 2013 as a coach and more recently a lecturer on the undergraduate sports degrees at our University Centre WISE. Dan has coached at various local rugby clubs, representative sides and is currently the Head Coach of Old Redcliffians in National 2, alongside this he has been involved with our partner Bristol Bears as an academy coach for 8 years.

Dan is not only extremely passionate about developing young people and supporting them to achieve their personal best, but rugby in the Bristol area. He commented: "SGS College Rugby has been successful in the last 20 years, however I feel we have not even scratched the surface yet. Bristol is a hotbed of rugby and as a college we want to be the pinnacle of that. We want to be internationally recognised for our approach to people development and the leading schoolboy rugby programme in the country

Dr Craig Barden

Dr Craig Barden

Head of Strength, Conditioning and Sports Therapy
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Dr Craig Barden

Head of Strength, Conditioning and Sports Therapy

Craig has worked in the SGS injury clinic since 2010 when he graduated from the University of the West of England with a degree in Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation. Craig is responsible the sports injury clinic where, alongside 4 other therapists, he ensures sports students are receiving a good level of care for their injuries ensuring they can return to activities as quickly and safely as possible. He also oversees the strength and conditioning provision, where 3 qualified coaches support the various academies to aid physical development and team performance. Outside of the academy, Craig works with the Bristol’s only professional basketball team, the Bristol Flyers, whilst lecturing at the University of Gloucestershire. He has also completed a PhD in injury prevention in youth rugby at the University of Bath, publishing in various peer-reviewed journals.

Tom Riddell

Tom Riddell

Sports Rehabiliator
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Tom Riddell

Sports Rehabiliator

Tom has a degree in Sport Rehabilitation and is a BASRaT registered therapist. He works in private clinical practices as well as working with Nailsea & Tickenham FC. He has now joined the sports academy team supporting the student athletes in their injury management. Tom will primarily use tailored exercise programs, but also some manual therapy techniques, to help facilitate better movement, reduce pain and, help people return to their activity stronger than they were before. Outside of work, Tom plays two instruments with a band as well as keeping fit with his main sport of swimming.

Will Crowfoot

Will Crowfoot

Strength and Conditioning Coach
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Will Crowfoot

Strength and Conditioning Coach

Will started working at the college in 2018 but he is also an ex-student attending the college from 2010-2012 where he studied a Level 3 BTEC in Sports performance and excellence and was a member of the American Football academy. After graduating from SGS, Will spent 6 months in Canada at a Prep school playing against some top high schools in America before coming back to study at Cardiff Metropolitan University where he graduated with a BCs (Hons) degree in Sports Conditioning, Rehabilitation and Massage. Whilst completing his degree he also interned with the Cardiff Met performance sports teams during his third year and gained experience within multiple sports.

Pip Dickin

Pip Dickin

Sports Therapist
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Pip Dickin

Sports Therapist

Pip started in the sports injury clinic at SGS in 2022 after graduating from the university of Worcester with a degree in Sports Therapy, where she gained skills in sports massage, injury assessment and rehabilitation and electrotherapy modalities. Pip is also qualified in RFU accredited Pre-hospital Immediate Care in Sport (PHICIS) first aid.

Outside of the college, Pip also works for National League 2 rugby team Dings Crusaders and for private clinic Top to Toe Physiotherapy in their clinics across Bristol and Bath. Pip also has experience working in the BBL and alongside university sports teams.

Daniel Newman

Daniel Newman

Strength and Conditioning Coach
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Daniel Newman

Strength and Conditioning Coach

Dan is an experienced strength and conditioning coach working with top level athletes and individuals at all fitness levels. Having been involved developing athlete’s physical qualities in an abundance of sports, Dan has previously worked within multiple Professional Sports Clubs, National Governing Bodies, and University and College sport teams. Holding MSc Strength and Conditioning, and BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science qualifications, he is also a BASES Supervised Sport and Exercise Scientist. Dan’s strong passion and experience in sport and exercise aspires to support the student athlete to reach their true potential and help develop the strength and conditioning programme at the College.

Dominic Williams

Dominic Williams

Sports Rehabilitator
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Dominic Williams

Sports Rehabilitator

I graduated from UWE in 2022 with a degree in Sport Rehabilitation. Additional qualifications include the RFU-accredited Pre-Hospital Immediate Care in Sport (PHICIS) and myofascial cupping. Alongside SGS I currently work as the Lead Academy Sports Therapist for Chippenham Town FC, and as a Sports Therapist at Philgood Rehabilitation. Previous experience includes working with UWE Sport teams (Football, Rugby, and Lacrosse) and within the UWE Injury Clinic. As well as this I spent 6 months working for Southwest Pitch-Side Trauma Care, which involved first aid support for rugby teams around Bristol. Outside of the college, I play drums in a rock band and have competed in football and kickboxing.

Max Cooper

Max Cooper

Strength and Conditioning Coach
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Max Cooper

Strength and Conditioning Coach

Max started working at the college in 2022. He completed his BSc (Hons) degree in Sports Strength and conditioning and is currently undertaking his MSc (Hons) in Spots Strength and Conditioning, from the university of Gloucestershire. Max has had experience with a multitude of different teams from Bristol Bears woman’s to Bristol City u21 woman’s yet his most recent position was with Severn Stars netball. Here he was head of the academy’s strength and conditioning programme, while also working extensively with the first team. Alongside his role within SGS he also works with the university of Gloucestershire carrying out strength and conditioning sessions for the university teams.