London Wasps Player Development Partnership

The HENLEY College offers talented, ambitious rugby players aged 16-18 the opportunity to combine their rugby development alongside their chosen academic studies. Students who wish to develop their rugby to a high level have the opportunity to combine efficiently their academic timetable and the rugby development programme in order to maximise potential in both disciplines.

What is a London Wasps Apprenticeship?

The London Wasps Academy Apprenticeship is a two year scheme for aspiring elite rugby players that combines player development and academic study.

The London Wasps Academy Apprenticeship is a partnership between:

London Wasps
the Rugby Football Union
Causeway Technologies
Twyford Church of England High School
Henley College

An Apprenticeship provides every opportunity for aspiring elite rugby players 16-18 to reach their potential: a high level of rugby. It also takes account of and rigorously supports the need for continued progression towards other options: study or a different career. It is a means of meeting both sporting and academic aspirations.

The apprenticeship meets the needs of the Rugby Football Union:
Long Term Athlete Development 16-18 should be "Train to Compete" 15hrs a week. Traditional rugby schools "Train to Win" ethos is usually about the developing player preparing for the School 1st XV to win fixtures.

The apprenticeship meets the needs of London Wasps:
We would like to continue to develop our own players who will continue to further the reputation for excellence of London Wasps.

The club takes pride in the fact that the rugby element of the London Wasps apprenticeship is conducted by London Wasps professional staff at the 1st Team training facilities at the Senior Teams Training ground at Twyford Avenue, Acton. Please note from September 2012 the London Wasps Apprenticeship will be based at Henley College with training based at Henley RFC with provides excellent gym and outdoor facilities again under the dirction of London Wasps full time professional coaches.

The apprenticeship offers a quality academic experience:

The AASE programme is in process of moving the Henley College. The move will be complete by the end of June 2012. For season 2011/12 the Academy Apprenticeship Team will play under the name Henley College.

New students enrolling in the programme as of the 2011/12 season will undertake their academic studies at Henley College.

The London Wasps Academy Apprenticeship is an accredited Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (AASE) supported by the Learning Skills Council, Edexcel and Skills Active.

More infomation for applicants and their parents is available on the Skills Active website, www.skillsactive.com. or use these links to see an applicant's brochure or parents' brochure

How is it Organised?

The days and weeks of the apprenticeship are timetabled so that the academy apprentices undertake the majority of their academic work in the mornings and the majority of the rugby programme in the afternoons.

The Rugby Programme is divided into three areas:

Rugby Development & Performance
Physical Development
Knowledge and Understanding

In addition, the rugby programme supports the apprentices gaining an additional qualification, an NVQ in Achieving Excellence in Sports Performance, a Level 3 qualification recognised as equivalent to 2 A levels by a number of Universities for related courses. Apprentices acheive their NVQ by keeping a records of their experiences and producing evidence of the outcomes of their preparation, training and performances.

Academic options at the Henley College include:

• A Levels
  
• International Baccalaureate
  
• Extended Diplomas
  

In addition to the academic programme, a typical training schedule of 11 hours per week includes:

• 3 Strength and Conditioning Sessions
  
• 2 Rugby Sessions
  
• College Match Programme
  

Rugby and Conditioning sessions are under the guidance of Henley College Tutor Danny Batty (Henley Hawks Assistant Coach) and Rob Smith.

The Rugby Programme

Training programmes are designed by Strength and Conditioning staff at London Wasps, with sessions taking place during the daytime, three times a week at Henley Rugby Club, under the guidance of Rob Smith and Danny Batty.

Rugby training sessions, incorporating individual skills, decision making, fitness and team patterns, during the daytime at College twice a week, under the guidance of Danny Batty, Graham Horner and Rob Smith, plus guest coaches.

The HENLEY College runs 1st and 2nd teams. Matches are played every Wednesday afternoon, involving the following competitions:

• Daily Mail Cup
  
• FE Colleges Cup
  
• Oxfordshire County Cup
  
• 7s tournaments, including Rosslyn Park

The Rugby Programme includes:

• Video analysis
  
• Fitness Testing - three times a year
  
• RFU Level 1 Coaching Qualification

For more information contact Danny Batty on 01491 634392 or email dbat@henleycol.ac.uk