MEN’S RUGBY
OAKLANDS WOLVES RUGBY ACADEMY
CREATING & DEVELOPING TOP RUGBY PLAYERS
About
Oaklands Wolves Rugby Academy programme develops skill, fitness and knowledge of the game.
We combine elite sports training with vocational or A Level courses to create the rounded performer.
In association with Saracens, we use expert trainers and are focused on preparing people for progression into high level sport.
ABOUT THE TRAINING PROGRAMME...
Three mornings per week are entirely dedicated to your rugby development, each morning consists of a combination of strength and conditioning, indoor skills and pitch sessions.
The programme is focused on ensuring you are optimising your development as an individual rugby player, with guidance from knowledgeable, expert coaches, including regular coaching from Saracens Academy coaches and players.
ABOUT THE PLAYING OPPORTUNITIES
The academy operates two men’s teams who compete in regular fixtures on Wednesdays.
The 1st XV competes in the highest level of competition in the ACE (Academy Colleges & Education) League, playing against other colleges affiliated to Premiership and Championship teams across the country, giving players excellent exposure to not only Saracens Academy coaches, but coaches from other academies as well.
The Development XV plays in the ACE Development League, Regional Association of College League, and other friendly fixtures.
There is also a dedicated period of the season where certain players will have the opportunity to focus on the seven-a-side format of the game for those suited to it.
COURSES
The rugby programme is scheduled to accommodates a range of course options:
BUSINESS – find more on the Oaklands College website
SPORTS – find more on the Oaklands College website
A LEVELS – find more on the Oaklands College website
PLUMBING – find more on the Oaklands College website
ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION – find more on the Oaklands College website
CARPENTRY – find more on the Oaklands College website
Other course options on the curriculum, but not listed above may allow some participation on the rugby programme but not all course options are actively timetabled to accommodate the rugby schedule.
For those who require retakes in maths or English, these can be retaken alongside the rugby and study programme.
There are also opportunities to undertake RFU coaching and refereeing qualifications.
MEN'S RUGBY ACADEMY BOOKLET
EXPRESS YOUR INTEREST
Please complete the form below if you are interested in joining the Men’s Rugby Academy Programme at Oaklands College. Once you have submitted this form we will be in contact with further information and guidance relating to your application for the Oaklands Wolves Rugby Academy.
Click here to express your interest
Please note, this is not a course application form, this should be completed on the college website.
COACHES
Meet our coaches…
CHRIS WARING
HEAD OF RUGBY, RUGBY ACADMEY
Chris has been the Head Coach at the Oaklands Wolves Rugby Academy since 2015, formerly Head Coach Rochford Hundred RFC and previously Westcliff RFC both in L&SE Premier Division. Formerly a player at the Saracens Academy, London Welsh RFC and Southend RFC, Chris has a wealth of playing and coaching experience.
BOBBY GRAHAM
DEVELOPMENT COACH, RUGBY ACADEMY
Bobby is currently Head Coach at Barnet Elizabethans RFC, and has also coached within the Saracens DPP and Hertfordshire county age groups. A former Northampton Saints Academy and England age groups player, Bobby’s role within the Development Squad is to promote player engagement and drive individual development of members of the development squad.
SAM TOWNSEND
DEVELOPMENT COACH, RUGBY ACADEMY
Sam has played and coached rugby in a variety of clubs and schools across the world, and is currently the Head Coach at Camelot RFC in Hemel Hempstead. Sam is also the Director of Rugby for Hertfordshire Men’s Rugby, and leads on the coaching at U17-18 level and also coaches with the London & South-East Divisional U18 team. A key part of Sam’s role at Oaklands is to support players transitioning from the Development Squad to the Performance Squad, preparing players for ACE Rugby.
Elliot McPhun
Performance Backs Coach
Elliot graduated from Oaklands in 2019, during which time he was selected for England Counties U18 at scrum half, a position he only started playing in his first year at Oaklands. A naturally instinctive attacker, Elliot is a young but ambitious coach, and is gaining valuable experience working with Saracens Academy. Elliot also plays for Old Albanians in National League 2, having previously spent a season at Henley Hawks. Elliot is the 1st XV backs and skills coach.
Claire Chidley
Development & Women’s Medical Lead
Claire Graduated from University of Bedfordshire in 2021 with a First Class Honours Degree in Sports Therapy. Claire spent a year on placement at Oaklands, primarily working with the rugby programme, and has also had experience working with championship side Ampthill.
TEAMS
MEN’S RUGBY
TEAM NAMES: 1st XV and Development XV
LEVEL: No particular level for either squad; bare minimum is proficiency in the core elements of the game; skills, game understanding and fitness. Players in the first XV will range between Saracens Academy/U18 International to good club level players.
HOW MANY IN EACH TEAM: Approx 30 in 1st XV Squad, approx 40 in Development squad, of which approx. 10-15 will be in a Development+ group.
OPPORTUNITIES: Different training groups are integrated throughout the week giving everybody the opportunity to progress through the teams to potentially represent the 1st XV.
LEAGUES: 1st XV AASE League. Development XV – competitive fixtures running in parallel with ACE League and against strong local and regional schools and colleges.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Supportive structure for players on Performance Pathways (Academy) or Counties Pathway, and transition of players into senior rugby.