The Hertfordshire School of Rugby, which starts this summer at the University of Hertfordshire, will identify and develop the best young rugby players in the county. With our leading coaches, and based at the best facility in the county, the School of Rugby will help our top players between the ages of 12 and 16 develop their skills and achieve their rugby potential.

We will shortly start selecting players for the School from next season’s Under 13s, Under 14s, Under 15s and Under 16s. How many? Probably around 20 in the older age groups, with perhaps a few more in the Under 13s. We are not selecting a team, though – these will be the best players in Hertfordshire, irrespective of their positions.

We can accept nominations from the lead coaches of school and club teams. We have sent nomination forms to schools and clubs and there is a copy of the form on this website. Coaches find the nomination form on the Youth page.

In Hertfordshire, we will run the School of Rugby when there is the least possibility of clashing with other school and club activity. There will be sessions lasting the full day during school holidays – in August, over the Xmas holiday period and during the October and February half terms. We will expect players to commit themselves to attend the sessions.

As well as skills coaching, the players will benefit from lifestyle and nutritional advice and specialist input on conditioning and other key subjects. We are very fortunate to have the financial backing and expertise of Saracens RFC to support the Hertfordshire School of Rugby.

To start in August, we need to select the students for the School of Rugby in June. If you are the lead coach for your team, please make sure you submit any nominations by Friday 25^th May 2007. Forms can be submitted as follows:

Tim Bonnett, our county Welfare Officer, is co-ordinating the introduction of the School of Rugby and coaches can email Tim with any queries. Read more about Schools of Rugby by reading this document on the RFU website: