AASE Programme

The Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence

The Exeter Chiefs Academy is currently offering the chance for players to be selected to study the Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (AASE) NVQ course.

The AASE scheme is a formal qualification that has been supported by the RFU and Exeter Chiefs Academy and it takes two years to complete. The AASE programme must be taken in addition to a full-time educational course taken at one of the three dedicated centres based at Exeter College, Ivybridge College and Truro College, covering both the Devon and Cornwall areas.

This qualification supplements the work that is done by the Exeter Chiefs Academy and Academy coaches in there Elite Player Development Groups and satellite groups. Each centre has qualified coaches and top class sporting facilities to aid and prepare young players for a career at the highest level in rugby from the age of 16 to 19 and is based upon achieving an educational qualification and rugby development.

What is the course about?

The AASE programme offers each player the chance to train at an elite level with Exeter Chiefs Academy coaching staff while attending either Ivybridge College or Exeter College in the Devon area and Truro College in Cornwall.

The colleges work in partnership with Exeter Chiefs Academy to deliver the NVQ in Achieving Excellence in Sports Performance. The course covers a wide variety of topics linked into being a professional rugby player. The selected players will join our training and development programme to gain valuable experience in the tactical ,technical, mental and physical side of rugby. A full individual conditioning programme covering weights programmess, field conditioning, Olympic lifting and nutritional programmes is included. All areas are monitored with diaries and lectures covering all facets of conditioning.

The course also offers help and understanding of areas such as dealing with everyday finance, media and injuries (prevention and recovery). These are just some of the areas that will be covered in the course and all can be discussed with an academy staff member at the chosen college.

The player will spend his time in college studying his chosen course alongside the NVQ in Sporting Excellence.

Who is the course for and am I qualified to join it?

The AASE is targeted at 16-19 year olds who have the potential to compete at a high level in rugby union. Candidates are selected by Exeter Chiefs Academy coaches from trials, participation in EPDG, SOR or by applying to the academy manager. Normal academic entry requirements for a Level 3 programme are five GCSEs at C grade or above.

Other areas the course covers?

The NVQ will develop your skills in eight key areas of rugby development:

1. Plan, develop and apply players; technical skills

2. Plan develop and apply players' tactical skill

3. Plan and develop players' physical conditioning

4. Plan and manage players own lifestyles in and around rugby

5. Plan and manage players' careers

6. Communicate and work effectively with others (coaches, physios, agents, media)

7. Match analysis, goal setting, continuous contact time, one to one reviews with coaches.

8. Maintain the health and safety in the work place of themselves and others

FAQs

Q: Do I have to live in the areas stated to apply?
A: No, you do not have to live in the Devon or Cornwall area. Each college will help where possible with accommodation.

Q: What rugby team and standard would I play at?
A: All three of the AASE Colleges play in the new AASE league. All three teams play in the south league and play against other academies such as London Irish (St Paul's College), Wasps (Twyford College) and Bristol (Filton College). Each of the colleges will run 1st, 2nd and 3rd teams.

Truro College are 2009 Daily Mail Champions, Ivybridge were AASE finalists last year and Exeter is a growing college on and off the field and were Daily Mail Champions in 2004.

Each college would then provide players for the Exeter Chiefs Academy games throughout the season against the likes of Leicester, Wales U20s and Bristol.

What will I be able to do as a result of the course?

When the player completes the AASE programme, the player will have learned how to conduct himself as a professional athlete. The player will understand how to manage his career, lifestyle and mental attitude. The player’s rugby skills will have been developed to a high standard and he will understand how to apply technical and tactical skills to a game.

How will I know I’m progressing and how is the course assessed?

It is the tutor/assessor’s role to assess the player's competence directly; they must be sure that the player has met and shown evidence for all performance, knowledge and evidence requirements. When the player's assessor is satisfied that you have met all the requirements for a unit, they will confirm this by signing the evidence record sheet for that unit to show that the process is complete.

The player's assessor will need to agree on a number of issues with him including: finding the best source of evidence to use for particular units, finding the best way of assessing the player and confirming the best times, dates and places for his assessments to take place.

Will I have a chance to give my views on the course?

The player will have constant contact with his assessor throughout the course. In addition, quarterly reviews with his assessor and workplace supervisor will give the player the opportunity to provide feedback on any aspect of the course. There will also be an opportunity to evaluate his course at the end.

What could the course lead to?

As candidates on the AASE combine full-time academic studies and work based qualifications with practical rugby training, there are several possibilities the course can lead to. Exeter Chiefs Academy may consider the player for a professional contract if we feel you are talented enough, or the player can combine the two and consider continuing his education at university. Applicants should be aware that this is not guaranteed however.

How do I join the course?

Applicants must either be referred to the AASE programme by Exeter Chiefs Academy or candidates can contact the Exeter Chiefs Academy manger Robin Cowling at robincowling@exeterchiefs.co.uk. The academy, along with the college, has the final decision on selection for the AASE programme. Our Academy manager will then contact the college to arrange a formal interview.

Which players have taken this course before?

Josh Matavesi - Truro College, Daily Mail champions in 2009, Fiji international at 19 and contracted player at Exeter Chiefs

Dave Ewers, Ivybridge College, senior academy full-time contracted player

Herbie Stupple ,Truro College, Daily Mail champions in 2009, Senior Academy full-time contracted player

Current players studying on the AASE scheme

England U18s players:

Luke Cowan-Dickie (Prop)
Koree Britton (Hooker)
Malcolm Hearn(Prop)

Please note that players do not need to be an England Academy student to be invited onto the AASE scheme and all players are welcome to apply.

For more information on Exeter Chiefs Academy or to apply, please email robincowling@exeterchiefs.co.uk.