Exeter College - Women
Exeter College and Exeter Chiefs
The partnership between Exeter Chiefs and Exeter College provides aspiring rugby players the chance to nurture not only their rugby talent but also receive first-class education and training with coaching staff, including Chiefs Women’s captain Emily Robinson. With nine alumni students currently in the Chiefs Women’s playing squad, our success speaks for itself.
Exeter College is a large, thriving tertiary college which places teaching, learning and student success as their top priority and have a sector leading reputation.
An award-winning, world-class college, it was rated as Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ in 2022, under the new robust framework. Their vision is to shape the future by delivering excellence to realise the ambitions of their learners, city and region.
The 2025/26 academic year was a strong year for results. A-level students achieved an excellent 99.52% pass rate, exceeding the national average of 97.4% with 59% of grades at A8-B. Among the many highlights, an impressive 23 A-level subjects achieved a flawless 100% pass rate. Students completing technical and applied extended diplomas achieved a 99.3% pass rate, and high performances in T-levels and vocational courses.
Exeter College is also named as best in the South West for employer satisfaction in Apprenticeships. As an organisation, nationally they are in The Sunday Times Best Places to Work in the UK 2025 in the big organisation category.
Students can choose from a range of academic courses and have the rugby programme imbedded in their timetable to complement those choices. The programme caters for players from 16-18 and new for 2023/24 was our foundation degree in coaching and fitness (for 18+ years) certificated by the University of Exeter. This is a two-year programme with a progression option into year two on the exercise and sports science course at the University. Studying on this course will allow individuals the opportunity to study at the College and to train and compete in BUCS competitions for the University. This is an Invaluable opportunity for those aspiring players looking for a HE qualification while exploring playing opportunities with Exeter Chiefs and the University of Exeter.
Our DiSE (Diploma in Sporting Excellence) provides additional opportunities for aspiring players selected from our performance trial process in their transition from secondary education. This additional qualification in learners’ timetables, covers the tactical, technical and team aspects of rugby along with full conditioning, nutritional programmes and detailed team and individual analysis delivery. Once completed it is worth up to 64 UCAS points in addition to student’s main course choices.
Exeter College Women’s Rugby Programme
The College play in the RFU ACE league and also compete in the AoC Sport competitions providing opportunities for players at all levels.
Each academic year our Rugby Academy has a cohort of players encompassing first and second year students, allowing us to field two teams on a Wednesday afternoon. We play in a variety of competitions run by the RFU and AoC Sport, with the ECRFU being its constituent body. The College are the current champions of the ACE competition, winning the final against Hartpury College at Twickenham.
The programme is blessed to have coaches from the club and the college combining to provide an outstanding standard of delivery which allows a professional approach underpinned by an educational environment.
Need more information on the programme and application requirements?
Exeter College Women’s Rugby Programme
The College play in the RFU ACE league and compete in the AoC Sport competitions providing opportunities for players at all levels.
Each academic year our Rugby Academy has a cohort of players encompassing first and second year students, allowing us to field two teams on a Wednesday afternoon. We play in a variety of competitions run by the RFU and AoC Sport, with the ECRFU being its constituent body.
The programme is blessed to have coaches from the club and the college combining to provide an outstanding standard of delivery which allows a professional approach underpinned by an educational environment.
The programme is blessed to have coaches from the club and the college combining to provide an outstanding standard of delivery which allows a professional approach underpinned by an educational environment.
Mission Statement
- The Exeter College Rugby Academy is focused on producing rugby players for the PWR and beyond.
- Exeter College Academy is committed to producing players of the future through early identification (Centre of Excellence), development and dedicating time to the 'best players' leading to PWR and international honours.
- By developing the person and leaders the 'Player' will follow.
- Along with maintaining a balanced approach to achieving ambitions within the game, players will also be supported in avenues of life outside the game.
- Motivated and intelligent staff with growing expertise in their particular field ensure the Academy not only continues to produce a high calibre person and player, but also provides the environment for future innovation, research and methods that will keep the Academy motivated and moving forward in line with the demands of modern-day professional sport at international levels.
Coaches Information
POPPY LEITCH
Exeter Chiefs U23 programme lead
EMILY ROBINSON
Coach
FLO ROBINSON
Coach
EMILY TUTTOSI
Coach
ALEX TESSIER
Coach
ABBY MIDDLEBROOK
Coach
College Staff
DAVID KIMBERLEY
Rugby academy lead
STEVE PERRY
Coach and DiSE tutor
LEWIS GAREN
Sports therapy lead
International Honours
