Academy Introduction

For years Exeter Rugby Club have held a strong tradition of producing home-grown talent and through the club's Academy system the conveyor belt of talent seems set to extend well into the future.

As one of the 14 regional academies based around the country, the role of the Exeter Chiefs Academy is to identify and develop talented young athletes from the age of 12 through to 24 and engage them in an Elite High Performance development programme, which we hope will eventually produce players for not only for the Chiefs, but also future England internationals.

The club's Academy structure is layered and tailored to suit the progression of young players into senior rugby contracts and international ranks.

The club liaises closely with both the Devon and Cornwall counties, whereby the Academy works with both counties in the running of their Schools of Rugby (SoR) programmes.

The club's Academy staff also watch club and schools rugby in the region and this allows the identification of future prospects and then the work of coaching and development starts.

Players selected onto the Schools of Rugby system have the opportunity to be selected to the Elite Player Development (EPDG) system.

Many of these players have attended Ivybridge Community College and Truro College where their development from the ages of Under-16 to 18 is further accelerated. Both Colleges work closely with the club, including many players playing in the Aviva Premiership 'A' league team whilst attending College. The club’s Academy has also recently established a link with Bicton College to service the East Devon region and provide a residential programme close to the club base with an extended academic provision.

The facilities at the Colleges are excellent and aid the progression of players through areas such as as strength and conditioning, sports medicine, fitness, nutrition, analysis, physiotherapy, media, lifestyle management and educational advice and guidance.

From 18 years old players have the chance to be selected in the Exeter Chiefs England Rugby Academy (ECERA) based at Sandy Park. These players also have access to National coaching and resources.

The club works closely with the National coaches at all levels to ensure the opportunity for further progression is enhanced - and most of these players are on full time contracts even though some can still be attending College.

Throughout the whole process, the club's philosophy is to provide development across all components of performance - and this approach will ensure potential players are developed for the long term and are fully prepared for the rigours and demands of professional rugby.

At the same time the club works closely with a number of education providers within the region, thus ensuring players maintain a balanced perspective between their ambitions within the game and also that of life after rugby.

Already the club has seen a number of success stories with the scheme and this summer the club welcomed Academy youngsters Will Carrick-Smith, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Lloyd Fairbrother, Sam Hill, Jack Nowell and Henry Slade into the ranks of the first team squad.