Cowling predicts bright future ahead
By Mark Stevens
17/7/18
Robin Cowling believes Exeter Chiefs will continue to keep producing homegrown talent capable of reaching the very pinnacle of the modern-day game.
The former England international this week stepped down from his role as Academy Manager, handing over the baton of unearthing the next generation of young starlets to that of his right-hand man, Rob Gibson.
Initially brought to the club in the late 90’s, the 74-year-old has been an intrinsic figure ever since in helping to develop the club’s highly-successful academy set-up, which is the envy of many of their top-flight rivals.
Heading up a programme which has unearthed a plethora of top-flight stars from Devon and Cornwall over the years, Cowling will continue to keep an interest in the fruits of his work, providing an advisory role to the Chiefs moving forward.
He does, however, believe the Chiefs are in fine fettle and has backed Gibson and the club’s ever-expanding academy staff to continue churning out the conveyor belt of prized talent from the region.
“It’s been a super journey for me and one of which I’m very proud to have been part of,” said Cowling, who during his playing days featured for both Gloucester and Leicester Tigers. “We have over the years not only produced some outstanding rugby players, but we’ve also produced some very decent people as well.
“Initially when we started the whole academy process it was very tough. It was myself, Rob Gibson and Ricky Pellow and we were virtually doing every job going. Now, it’s much different and we have a fantastic set of staff in place covering every area that needs covering.
“What we have produced is down to a lot of hard work from a lot of people along the way, but it’s also down to the buy-in we have received from both Tony Rowe (Chief Executive) and Rob Baxter (Director of Rugby). Without them supporting us in the way they have, we wouldn’t be where we are today.
“Both of them understand the importance of the academy and the role it has to play. They not only understand the vision we have, but they have seen through the investment provided what can be achieved in terms of producing our own homegrown players.”
England and British Lions star Jack Nowell remains the headline act to have emerged from the academy, but behind him the likes of Luke Cowan-Dickie, Sam Simmonds and Henry Slade have all followed him onto the full international stage in recent times.
Producing international stars of the future remains a high priority for the academy, but so too does developing youngsters into regular Premiership starters and further evidence of this was underlined with ten of the Exeter side that featured in the Premiership Final at Twickenham in May having come through the ranks.
“Each year we set ourselves new targets in terms of what we want to achieve,” continued Cowling. “Producing players of Premiership standard remains a key objective, but so too does improving our conversion rate in terms of those who come into the academy and who we want to get to that stage at the very least.
“This season alone we’ve had our biggest-ever intake of academy players into the senior squad, but with that comes added pressure. Each season the bar is being raised in terms of standards and what is expected of these young players. As coaches we have to manage those expectations, but so too the players have to be willing to work hard.”
In handing over to New Zealander Gibson, Cowling acknowledges the Chiefs are in good hands moving forward.
“I’ve worked with Rob for many, many years and I know the standards he sets are incredibly high,” said Cowling. “His knowledge of the game, the way he conducts himself and the unseen work he does, I’ve no doubt he will not only continue the good work, but that he will drive the academy onwards and upwards.
“He will have his own ideas, which is great, but I know he will also work with the other staff to get the very best out of everything. I’ve no doubt the club will continue to thrive and continue to produce some excellent rugby players of the future.”