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The Programme
The Male Rugby Academy at SGS Sport offers athletes aged 16-19 a comprehensive opportunity to advance their athletic journey while enrolled at SGS College. Throughout their time in the SGS Sports Academy, learners benefit from up to 15 hours of contact time per week, comprising on-field training sessions, gym-based Strength and Conditioning sessions, and broader athlete development sessions covering Psychology, Nutrition, and Brand Awareness throughout the season. Additionally, all learners receive three individual feedback sessions annually with their coaches, focusing on academic development, personal needs, and areas for improvement.
The SGS Sport program also offers an extensive Sport Science and Medical package focused on injury prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. This includes strength and conditioning sessions, sports rehab, sports massage, and pitch-side first aid and matchday emergency cover at the SGS WISE Campus. Each academy benefits from two strength and conditioning sessions per week, delivered by our coaches across our two performance gyms. Additionally, a dedicated team of sports rehab professionals is available to support athletes in case of injury. We also collaborate closely with the academic sports department to provide work experience opportunities for students, including sports massage services for sports academy learners. SGS College offers a dedicated ice bath facility for student use. Furthermore, there are various placement opportunities for university-level students in sports psychology, performance analysis, and strength and conditioning. For the 2024-25 academic year, SGS College, in collaboration with the University of Gloucestershire, is launching a paid MSc studentship opportunity. These initiatives aim to develop SGS College into a centre of sporting excellence and research.
The Male Rugby programme kicks off in July each year with an extensive pre-season period, blending on-field sessions with team-building activities. The bulk of the programme runs from September to May, with academic timetables structured to accommodate access to the Sports Academy offerings. During the season, training sessions are scheduled for Monday afternoons and Friday mornings, with a mixture of individual, squad and unit based sessions.
The SGS Sport Male Rugby games programme takes place on a Wednesday afternoon where they compete in the RFU ACE League against the top Colleges nationwide. The Male Rugby programme typically schedules fixtures for both the 1st and 2nd teams against subsequent ACE opposition. Whilst, the 2nd team also participates in the AoC Sport Competition programme and the Rugby Development programme engages in fixtures against Bristol Schools. Furthermore, the Rugby programme annually attends the Rosslyn Park 7s tournament, a highlight event. Additionally, the SGS Sport Male Rugby programme organizes overseas trips, with recent destinations including Spain, France, and Canada, offering athletes valuable international exposure and experience.
Academic Qualifications
To participate in the Male Rugby program at SGS College, all learners must be enrolled in a full-time academic qualification, such as Vocational qualifications or A Levels. Many learners choose to study disciplines like Sport, Sports Media, or Media at the WISE Campus, while others pursue A Levels or Business Studies at the Filton Campus. For those studying at the Filton Campus, a shuttle bus service is available to facilitate transportation to and from the WISE Campus.
Participation in the Sports Academy provision is contingent upon adherence to the SGS Sport Code of Conduct. This code outlines expectations regarding behaviour, attendance (maintained at 92% across all academic qualifications), timely submission of work, and adherence to sporting conduct standards. Compliance with these requirements ensures learners' eligibility for involvement in the Sports Academy program.
Partners and Progression
The SGS Sport Male Rugby program enjoys a close partnership with Bristol Bears, the premier sporting provider in Bristol. This collaboration allows the Bristol Bears Academy teams to train at SGS College, providing our Male Rugby program with direct coaching input from Bristol Bears coaching and support staff. Furthermore, our Male Rugby program seamlessly integrates with the Bristol Bears Under 18s program, offering selected learners the opportunity to compete at a high level throughout their tenure at SGS College.
Moreover, the Male Rugby program serves as the Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DISE) Provider for Bristol Bears. This designation enables high-performing athletes to pursue additional skills and qualifications alongside their rugby program at SGS College, further enhancing their development and opportunities within the sport. The DISE Qualification is worth an additional 64 UCAS points and is assessed through a portfolio of your student-athlete journey at the College. SGS Sport offers 6-7 places on the DISE Programme per year based on trials and references from our colleagues at Bristol Bears.
Our Alumni and Academy Success
Throughout the 25 years of SGS Male Rugby, athletes have come through the program to play for clubs such as Bristol Bears, Harlequins, Ospreys, and Bath. Additionally, other learners have gone on to represent England, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland at Age Grade Rugby, earning full international caps for Wales, Italy, and the British and Irish Lions. The SGS Rugby Academy serves as a proven pathway into professional rugby, thanks to our steadfast partnership with Bristol Bears. Many of our student-athletes aspire to play professional rugby, and it's our academy's mission to support them in achieving their goals.
Among our notable alumni are esteemed players such as Wales and British Lions international Taulupe Faletau, former Italy International Jake Polledri, Exeter Chiefs hooker Dan Frost, GB Sevens International Alex Davies, current Bristol Bears players George Kloska, Jack Bates and Deago Bailey and former Bristol Bears centurions Joe Joyce, Andy Uren, and Mitch Eadie.
The success of our alumni demonstrates our commitment to nurturing talent and preparing them for success at the highest levels of the sport.
"SGS gave me a chance to lay the foundations for a career in professional rugby and to become the best person and player I could be." — Joe Joyce
"SGS is about building relationships with people and the sport you love. Those relationships will continue forever!" — Deago Bailey
Rugby Staff
Dan Cox
Director of Rugby
Matt Belbin
Head Coach
Ellie Mulhearn
Assistant Coach
Callum Pitt
Assistant Coach Rugby and DISE Assessor
Cail Cookland
Jess Sprague
SGS Sport Staff
Dr Craig Barden
Head of Strength, Conditioning and Sports Therapy
Jordan Barnes
Sports Therapist
Max Cooper
Strength and Conditioning Coach
Will Crowfoot
Strength and Conditioning Coach
Pip Dickin
Sports Therapist
Daniel Newman
Strength and Conditioning Coach
Katie Northwood
Sports Therapist
Tom Riddell
Sports Rehabiliator
Connor Sidley-Adams
Curriculum Director of Personal and Social Development
Choisze To
Operations Lead
Dominic Williams
Sports RehabilitatorHow to Apply
Thank you for your interest in joining an SGS College Sports Academy!
Our Sports Academies are highly regarded, boasting national success, Olympic and Paralympic representation, medals, and pathways to professional contracts. Due to this popularity, we hold trials for each academy in October, February, and Easter.
To stay informed on trial dates and all SGS Sport updates, you can either apply formally or simply register your interest. Both options ensure our coaches have the details needed to keep you up to date on important developments with more information below.
Register interest for a Sports Academy
Register Your Interest Stay Updated: By submitting this form, you'll receive updates about trial days and taster events hosted by our Sports Academy throughout the year.
Apply for a Sports Academy
- Add a full-time course to your basket.
- While still on that full-time course page, add a sports academy by clicking on the "Sports Academy Add-Ons" tab and selecting a sports academy.
- Finally, click the Basket icon at the top right of the screen and then "Proceed with Application".
Apply for a Higher Education Course and Academy
For students interested in pursuing a Higher Education degree at SGS College, applications for academic courses can be made via Search - UCAS. Those wishing to combine their academic studies with a Sports Academy program should also complete the Register Your Interest form here.
Please Note: Higher Education students are eligible to join our American Football, Men's Football, Netball, Women's Football, or Basketball programs.