Academy boss Andrew Stanley has paid tribute to the crop of young stars being developed at Worcester Warriors after a record-breaking season at Sixways.
The young guns have made a massive impact this season with eight Academy players making first team appearances.
Home grown aces Tom Wood, Matt Mullan, Joe Carlisle, Chris Pennell, Jonny Arr, Matt Cox, Graham Kitchener and Miles Benjamin have all impressed for Mike Ruddock’s men on the big stage in the Guinness Premiership.
Against London Wasps at Adams Park in April the club fielded seven starters and three replacements that had come through the Academy system.
Former Academy players James Collins, Callum Black, Will Bowley and Nick Runciman have also made an impact and boss Stanley has been delighted that the youth stars at the club have been given a chance to shine.
“The number of young players coming through is testimony to the support that the club has given the Academy in the last few years,” said Stan. “That is beginning to bear fruit with the player resource and the way the Academy is incorporated into the way the rugby department plans.
“In the Academy we’ve been able to create an environment in which the players are able to develop and progress if they have the right attitude.
“The group of players that have come through in recent times have the right attitude in abundance and have created a culture and benchmark, now Academy members joining from school have to achieve that again.
“The other real positive thing is that all of these players that have come through the last couple of years have been products of the through the Elite Player Development Schemes. That is an indication that our talent ID programme, which is supported throughout the West Midlands, is working in preparing these players for a full-time career in rugby.
“The RFU Schools of Rugby initiative, which requires us to work in partnership with local constituency bodies of West Midlands and Warwickshire, is also working well and is a breeding ground for future young Warriors.”
Stan has also paid tribute to the coaching staff in the Academy and the Worcester supporters who have backed the work of the Academy.
“Behind every team is a great backroom team and that is very much the case here,” he said. “Gary Meechan, Lee Cleaver, Lee Douglas, Matt Sherratt and Mike Lancaster have all done a fantastic job and are a real credit to the club.
“As a club we also very fortunate to have the relationship that we do with our supporters,” he added. “After the final I was really pleased at the number of our supporters that came across and said how pleased they were that we were producing our own players for the club and the knowledge they had of our players.
“The Supporters Club, Hereford and Worcester Training Providers Association and Modus have also been a huge help this season and their continued donations and support will help fund other players nutritional and supplementation needs. This is an aspect that cannot be underestimated.
“We will continue to look for others who may similarly like to help as every little bit helps develop the next batch of young Warriors who want to play for this club.”
Do you want to help the Academy section at Warriors? If so contact karen@wrfc.co.uk