Buzzards Academy

expands its offer to

include all U16 and U17
players for the 2010-11
season

We aim to play the game of

Rugby Union as a collective You may know that last season Leighton Buzzard Rugby
with a mix of high skill levels, Football Club established an Academy combining U18
tempo and creativity. and U19 age group players with a simple objective:-
Our efforts will be bonded by To facilitate the development of all players of all
intelligence, support, abilities to realize their full potential
encouragement, and respect Sounds simple but it has required a big shift in thinking
for the players, coaching staff and resources. An open
for each other with enjoyment system of age was introduced primarily for U18 and U19
for all. though this later included a small number of invitees that
were younger as a tester for things to come.
We are the Buzzards Academy A team of 5 coaches including 3 new recruits were
so say it loud and say it proud. assembled with the required knowledge and experience
within the game forming what we regard as the best in
the region if not national at Junior Club level coaching at
Bedfordshire U15 & U16, East Midlands U15, U17 and
Senior XV, Cambridge University, RFU National School
of Rugby and the Midlands ‘Junior Coach of the Year
2009-10’? Combine this with an objective to identify,
develop and promote more home grown coaching talent
and the players will be given the best opportunity the
club can offer at this age range
.
The first year of the programme has achieved some
notable success:-
 We played a game of rugby every weekend at local,
regional or national level covering friendly, league and
cup competition matches. We played 35 games; Won
27; Drew none and Lost 8. In the process the squad
scored 1325 points and conceded 465.
 Trained twice a week at the club on Tuesdays and
Thursdays with an average season attendance of 72%
 Recruited and maintained a large and friendly squad of
36 players predominantly 17 and 18 years old
 We worked hard at enjoying ourselves before, during
and after training and matches
 Provided individual squad kit with the help of 6 corporate
sponsors
 Toured in France [Perpignan] and Spain [Barcelona]
winning all three games
 14 players represented the senior section of the club –
11 played for the 1stXV and 3 for the 2nd XV
 16 players represented East Midlands, 3 represented
Buckinghamshire, 1 Midlands trialists and 1 South West
 2 played for Northampton Saints Junior Academy U19