The Warriors AASE programme will be making an exciting switch to Stourport High School and VIth Form College this September to begin a new partnership.
The AASE (Achieving Academic and Sporting Excellence) Programme is a rugby model for talented 11 to 18-year-olds and the move to Stourport High, part of Severn Academies Educational Trust (SAET), forms part of a vision and commitment to embed rugby throughout the school and the aspiration to have the best state school rugby programme nationally.
The AASE Programme provides players with the best opportunity to succeed in the next step of their life, be it professional rugby, university, an apprenticeship or full-time employment.
Benefits of the AASE Programme include optimising and realising sporting and academic potential, maximising motivation and team spirit as players study, train and play together, high-quality coaching and access to a high-quality curriculum within an outstanding school.
The successful programme, which has been running for over 12 years, has seen the likes of England international Matt Kvesic, Andy Short and Jake Abbott all come through the system to play first-team rugby for Warriors.
Current Warriors and England Under 20 forward Ted Hill also came through the programme which was previously ran at Worcester Sixth Form College.
Warriors AASE Manager Ryan Watkins said: “Moving to Stourport will allow us to coach more players, have more teams and support more age-groups.
“Geographically, it’s also a great location and it’s a whole new avenue to develop young talent in the region so we’re really excited about this new partnership.”
Chris King, Chief Executive at Severn Academies Educational Trust, said: “The Stourport High School & VIth Form College and Severn Academies Educational Trust are passionate about providing the best educational and sporting opportunities for our young people.
“This partnership provides the vehicle for all parties to achieve their vision, exposing thousands of children to rugby as well as impacting on the profile of the game and complementing the work done by the Community Foundation and programme at Worcester Warriors.”
Stourport High School & VIth Form College Principal Lorna Deakin added: “We are delighted to be able to partner with Worcester Warriors to provide excellent academic and pastoral support to all students on the AASE Programme from September 2018.
“We pride ourselves on providing individual, bespoke support for all of our students to enable them to fulfil their potential. We are committed to implementing a successful rugby programme for boys and girls from Year 7 to Year 13 as an integral aspect of the strategic direction of the partnership and the provision of excellent rugby facilities in the future.”
If you are interested in joining the Warriors AASE Programme at Stourport High School and VIth Form College, please email ryan.watkins@warriors.co.uk.