Academy Organisation

The Harlequins Academy comprises of the Harlequins Surrey and Sussex Schools of Rugby (SOR), the Elite Player Development Group (EPDG), and the full time regional academy.

The full time regional academy is for players aged 16+ who have both the ability and the desire to progress through a development programme aiming to equip them for a career in professional rugby. These players train with and alongside the club's first team and are treated in every way as young professional players. The life is challenging but interesting and includes many aspects of personal and professional development. Places on the academy will be offered on an annual basis to only the very best.

The second level is the Elite Player Development Group (EPDG) which includes players selected on the basis of their performances to become members of the regional academy in due course. Typically these players will have played divisional or international rugby at Under 16 and will also have demonstrated a commitment beyond the average to become professional players. These players will attend extra training sessions on top of the Schools of Rugby sessions, during holiday periods and will receive feedback on their performances on a regular basis.

The Harlequins Surrey and Sussex Schools of Rugby (SOR) provide the entry level into the Academy programme. The role of the SOR is to work closely with county coaches and development officers to identify players considered to have the talent to benefit from, and progress through, the programme. It is important to recognise that this is not just another squad. The SOR provides entry into a long term development programme which in some case will lead towards the very highest level of the game.

The SOR is not a team. No matches are played. The SOR provides training programmes for and monitors the progress being made by each player. SOR players will continue to play their rugby either for their club, school and county side as before.

However, in accepting a place in the SOR players and parent are agreeing to accept the primacy of the SOR and to refer any conflicts to the Academy manager and to accept any decision that he might make. Members of the SOR are required to play no more than 32 matches a season and to play no more than one match per week. This is the area in which most problems arise and as a guideline it should be noted that Academy policy is that in normal circumstances school games will take priority over club games.

The SOR programme consists of weekly weight training sessions at one of a number of venues for the U15's upwards. Rugby sessions will take place throughout the season at either Reigate Grammer School playing fields for Surrey or Brighton RFC for Sussex. These will include full day training camps held during the school holidays which will be part of the RFU core curriculum which will be coached at the SOR sessions.