Rugby student stars to be trained in landmark agreement

Rugby stars of the future will benefit from expert coaching after a landmark agreement was signed with the University of Essex.

Student sports stars will benefit from the expertise of Colchester Rugby Club in a bid to develop talent.

The club has a long history of identifying and growing players with England international flanker Lewis Ludlam running out for The Ravens.

Premiership-winning Northampton Saint legend Mikey Haywood is also now on the club’s coaching team having returned to his home club after playing 269 games at the highest level.

Now the University’s Blades sides will be boosted by new weekly training sessions, expert support and development plans.

Photos by  Hamsika Pagadala see more on the Essex Tribe Instagram

The men and women’s teams will also benefit from the club’s high-end facilities – including all-weather pitches – at the newly opened £29m Sports Park project, at the city’s Northern edge.

Dr Dave Parry, director of sport at Essex: “Working with Colchester Rugby Club opens doors to a wealth of opportunities.

“From support services for coaches to helping colts transition into senior competition, our collaboration increases both academic and athletic experiences and builds on our existing research partnership.

“By sharing coaching resources, we're strengthening students and athletes’ overall development."

Professional programme

Colchester Rugby Club will also benefit from the agreement which will see its coaches upskilled by working with the professional programme at Essex.

This will see the side learn from the professional team at the record-breaking Essex Rebels which this season saw its women’s basketball side reach its first televised national final.

Karl O’Brien, Chairman of Colchester Rugby Club, said: “The Rugby club see this as an incredible opportunity for both of us to really develop this into something very special.”

Existing links

The collaboration builds on the University’s existing links with the club.

Dr Ben Jones, from the School of Sport, Rehabilitation, and Exercise Sciences, is currently working with the club to study concussion in the amateur game.

The former player with Northampton Saints, Worcester Warriors and England 7s international said it could "safeguard the sport for future generations".

He said: “This isn’t a case of trying to make the game soft or ruining it for the millions of people who enjoy it the world over, we just need to know more about its potential risks.

“For years elite athletes have had the benefit of high-level analysis whereas the clubhouses that are the foundation of the game have been left behind.”