St David’s College and RGC Extend Partnership

This academic partnership, which was first formed last year, creates an alternative pathway for talented young players in North Wales, giving them the opportunity to gain access to top-level coaching and award-winning education.

Building on last year’s success, St David’s College has extended its support of RGC through kit sponsorship. St David’s is now a sleeve sponsor for the 1^stXV Mens team and Kit sponsor for the U15s development side.

St David’s College is establishing a reputation as one of the best holistic sports schools in the country. Working closely with RGC and other academic partners, the newly formed partnership will provide support and a clear pathway that gives students the tools needed to achieve at the highest level.

Head of Sports and PE at St David’s College, Mr Dan Lycett, said: “St David’s working together with RGC provides an alternative pathway for aspiring young rugby players.

“We mould our provision to the player and not mould the player into our system.”

He continued: “We work closely with the RGC coaches creating individual training plans for the pupils, allowing each of them to reach their full potential.”

RGC provides coaching support as well as access to their facilities at Parc Eirias, while the school has its own strength and conditioning coaching that is available to boarders seven days a week.

St David’s College has a strong pedigree for developing young players in line with the RGC Rugby Pathway. One example is Owain Evans, who has just left St David’s College, after gaining three A Grades in A’Level in physics, maths and biology and a distinction plus in Sport BTEC Level 3. Owain has decided to take a year out to concentrate on his rugby before taking up a place to study engineering and physics at Loughborough. He’s already training with Wales Under 20s squad.

Owain said: “St David’s helped me refine my skills and improved my handling of the ball with all the different drills we did., there’s a lot of amazing young talent coming through the school which is great.”

A raft of other Sixth Formers have been selected to play for the under 18’s RGC regional development side with other pupils narrowly missing out. Lower down the school St David’s also boasts multiple players who have been selected for the RGC U15s development side.

Alun Pritchard, RGC General Manager North Wales Region, said: “We are delighted to continue to have St David’s College on board as an academic partner.

“I think St David’s with its exciting plans to expand offers so much to a young, aspiring rugby player.

“Everyone seems to enjoy their time at the school, and it’s fantastic that there is now a female rugby team at the school.”

He added: “Within our Regional Performance Pathway our aim is to create as many opportunities as possible, for as many young players as possible, to develop their rugby alongside their education.”