Leicester Tigers Academy
Developing Player Programme (DPP) &
Tigers Development Group (TDG)
Handbook 2015-16
‘Cubs to Tigers’
Kindly Supported by:
1.0 Introduction To The Leicester Tigers Academy
Programme Overview The Leicester Tigers Academy was established in 1998; operating within a development process in which the goal is to develop players capable of playing Premiership rugby for Leicester Tigers. A significant number of players have progressed through this system and gone on to represent Leicester Tigers and various international teams. Culminating in the British and Irish Lions 2013 squad containing 6 players from the Leicester Tigers Academy programme.
Current Situation The full time Academy programme is underpinned by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) Academy licence agreement, which was signed by all Premiership clubs in 2002 & again in 2008. The RFU contributes to the financial management of the academy and allows the Academy the ability to recruit within a designated geographical area. This recruitment process is managed through the developing player programme (Tigers DPP) that selects and identifies players from various sources from U13’s through until the U16’s age groups.
Leicester Tigers Academy Vision & Mission Statement ‘To Establish Leicester Tigers Academy as the most respected player development programme in the world’
Our focus: • Long-term athlete development principles • Identifying the most talented players • Instil an ethos of excellence through continuous development • Development led Competition supported playing programmes • An integrated and innovative holistic approach that optimises player opportunities at the highest level.
The Outcome:
‘To Produce Players Capable of Playing for and Securing the Cultural Legacy of Leicester Tigers’
Leicester Tigers Core Working Principles • Simple – Uncomplicated without decoration or ornamentation • Uncompromising – Relentless effort • Intense – highly concentrated • Honest – Unpretentious, truthful and free of deceit
What we are looking for in our players...... • Warrior – Brave Fighter • Thinker – Person who thinks deeply and seriously • Doer – Person who acts rather than merely talking
Leicester Tigers Academy Standards Charter:
• Right place, right time – if you are 5 minutes early then you are 10 minutes late • Right kit at the right session – no excuses • Nothing less then 100% - 100% of the time • Recognise professional boundaries – don’t cross the line (its thin!) • Life’s not fair...... • The goal posts change...... • If it was easy everyone would be here...... • Our environment doesn’t build character.....it exposes it...... • We expect you to bring something everyday......
Overview of the Developing Player Programme
Mission Statement “Providing high quality player development experiences, encouraging lifelong participation in the game and enabling those with potential to be clearly identified and supported.”
Regions The Leicester Tigers Academy has responsibility for developing potential Elite players in a geographical region that covers Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Staffordshire and Norfolk. The DPP’s are a step on the player development pathway, with successful players progressing into the Leicester Tigers Academy at 16 years of age
Region Venue Head Coach Leicestershire (East) Stonygate training centre Glen Gelderbloom Leicestershire (West) Hinckley RFC Jason Button North Derbyshire Mount St Marys College Diccon Edwards North Lincolnshire Market Rasen & Louth RFC Mike Umaga Nottinghamshire Newark RFC Peter Cook Staffordshire (North) Longton RFC Simon Robson Staffordshire (South) Walsall RFC Anthony Nixon Norfolk (East) Easton College Tim Malone Norfolk (West) West Norfolk RFC Dave Tiueti
Costs and Kit The DPP is funded by Leicester Tigers supported by the RFU and the local Constituent Body (CB’s). It is free at the point of use to all players, there are no yearly subscriptions or memberships and the physio service can be accessed free of charge. Once fully accepted into the DPP, you will need to purchase the DPP Player Pack, which is available from our kit supplier BLK via http://www.speedonesports.com/leicester-tigers-dpp/ 3.0 Leicester Tigers Player & Talent Development Pathway Players Identified players will be invited to attend one of the nine Tigers centres located throughout our geographical area. Selection for a Tigers DPP is through a number of pathways including trials, divisional and national age grade squads, coach observations and direct referrals through our scouting network. Our DPP’s comprise players from U13 to U16 age groups and meet regularly to work on core rugby skills and game awareness. Players continue to train and play with their club or school, as well as representing their County, Division or England if selected.
Coaches A team of skilled coaches led by the DPP Head Coach run each centre supported by the full time Tigers Academy staff, including Strength & Conditioning, Medical and Nutritional support as well as Technical and Tactical rugby input.
Tigers Development Group (TDG) Programme At set points throughout the year selected players from across all nine DPP’s will be invited to train with the TDG. This selection process is fluid and is not an invitation into the Academy. Players may come in and out of TDG during the season. The group will work with Academy coaches on various components of performance including workshops for parents on lifestyle management, nutrition, psychology and education pathways. The players will continue to train at their local DPP centre when TDG is not being held.
Trial & Assessment Process During the season the DPP and Tigers Academy coaches will be observing games to watch potential players for the DPP and TDG selection. School, club and county coaches may recommend any player they consider would justify a place in the DPP.
Feedback Through the coaching style used within the DPP, feedback is constantly given to players by the coaches commenting on what they are doing well & what can be improved upon. At any point throughout the season if a player would like more in- depth comments then please speak with the coaches at the relevant DPP centre. Coaches will provide each player at least one opportunity to share written individual feedback each season.
Exit routes Players are normally involved in the DPP for one season at a time, depending on coaching and playing performances. If players need to be released from the programme they will be given the opportunity to obtain feedback from their DPP Head Coach. The players’ parents or guardians will also be notified. We continue to monitor all players released at U16 level through the county scene over the next two years. ALL U16 DPP players will be released from the programme at the end of January, with this being the GCSE year the release from DPP allows players to fully focus on school without any additional commitments.
5.0 Developing Player Programme Curriculum
Positional
Game Contact Attack sense
Defence
Sessions will focus on one element of the curriculum each session, there will be opportunities throughout the season to test skills in games sessions. Positional elements being an increased focus of the U16 age group.
Strength & Conditioning education will be a major part of each DPP session.
It is recommended that members of the DPP should play no more than 32 matches a season and to play no more than one match per week and certainly no more than one game within twenty four hours.
6.0 DPP Age Structure & Playing Programme
At U15 & U16 level being part of the DPP does not guarantee you match time. Individual Head Coaches will nominate the players they feel deserve the opportunity to demonstrate their talents in games and at TDG level.
U13 DPP Programme The main focus for the U13 players is to enjoy their rugby and develop as many good practices as possible. There is no pressure for achieving ‘results’ and players need to collect as much information as possible to become an elite player. There are no assessment games at this age group
U14 DPP Programme The main focus for the U14 players is to enjoy their rugby and develop as many good practices as possible. There is no pressure for achieving ‘results’ and players need to collect as much information as possible to become an elite player. There are no assessment games at this age group.
U15 DPP & TDG Programme The main focus for the DPP U15 players will remain on the development of the core skills and game sense. After Christmas there will be an opportunity for some players to demonstrate their skills in assessment games. Training & playing performances will then aid in the selection of a TDG group, culminating in us selecting a team that will represent Leicester Tigers in a National U15 festival in May.
U16 DPP & TDG Programme The focus for the U16 group will start in August with a National Festival, and then will involve a series of Tigers DPP and TDG assessment matches (CB fixtures) in September to December. In December the TDG U16 squad will be selected for training and festivals in January – May.
All other U16 DPP players will be released from the programme at the end of December. With this being the GCSE age group the release from DPP allows players to fully focus on school without any additional commitments. There may be a match in February to monitor the development of players after Christmas.
Talent Development Residential Camps There will be one Talent Development Camp for Selected U15 players at Easter and plans to hold a second camp for U15 & U16 players in the summer.
7.0 Leicester Tigers Academy & RFU Contact Details Academy Address: Leicester Tigers, Oval Park, Leicester Tigers, Wigston Road, Oadby, Leicester, LE2 5QG. Oval Park Office: 0116 2171 325 For any information regarding DPP & TDG please direct your enquires to: [email protected] or your centre Head Coach.