EALING TRAILFINDERS & BRUNEL UNIVERSITY RUGBY SPORTS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME “WE WANT PLAYERS TO COME THROUGH THIS SYSTEM, LEAVE UNIVERSITY WITH A DEGREE AND A PROFESSIONAL RUGBY CONTRACT AT EALING TRAILFINDERS." - ‘Director of Rugby, Ben Ward’ VISIT: WWW.EALINGTRAILFINDERS.COM OR EMAIL: [email protected] INTRODUCTION FROM BEN WARD Director of Rugby, Ealing Trailfinders The coaching and backroom team that we have put in place are of the highest calibre and with international experience behind them, they will provide the players with the platform to succeed. In order to ensure consistency the majority of the management for the Scholarship Programme also work at Ealing Trailfinders with the first team, allowing a seamless crossover. The coaching team includes the likes of former Italy international Francesco Minto and Melbourne Rebels’ Jordy Reid so there is a vast amount of experience on offer. The backroom team includes Analysts, Strength and Conditioning Coaches, Physiotherapists, Nutritionists to make sure that no stone is left unturned as we look to become the best rugby programme in the country. I am extremely proud to introduce you to our Scholarship At Ealing Trailfinders we have two 4G pitches, two grass pitches, Programme with Brunel University London as part of the two gyms, an analysis suite, a team relaxation room, private chefs Trailfinders Rugby Academy. and a medical area which have all been key components towards the success of the programme in the opening stages. Since turning professional five years ago, Ealing Trailfinders have continued to grow year-on-year and currently sit as the Brunel University London boast world class facilities, their rugby 14th best team in the country. Our academy is a vital part of resources meant that France used the campus as a base for the our organisation and we have not taken the usual route that 2015 Rugby World Cup in England. The international standard pitch other teams have, we believe we have created something as well as the Indoor Athletics Centre and Fitness Complex mean special for both the player and the club. that the players have everything they need to succeed on the pitch. Brunel have previously been a powerhouse in University Rugby and Our academy is in conjunction with Brunel University London, we are looking to repeat their previous achievements as they push allowing players to gain a degree to set them up for the rest towards the BUCS Super League. of their lives academically, as well as pursuing a professional rugby career with a full time rugby programme. In the same way as professionals, we also understand that students need assistance on and off the pitch. We are proud of our pastoral It is important to focus on education as well as rugby and that support and that is why we see this as an opportunity that is above is why we believe this partnership will become so and beyond any other university rugby programmes. We have a successful. Brunel host over 13,000 students whilst offering team of physiotherapists, nutritionists, psychologists and a hundreds of courses so there are a huge range of options to Chaplain who are available to the students. combine with the rugby programme. We would encourage any player to get in touch and see what we Players have the opportunity to train with the first team at can offer. In this brochure you will find all of the information about Ealing Trailfinders, meaning that they are immediately the Trailfinders Rugby Academy, which we believe will become the exposed to international standard players to help their best in the country. development. These sessions are tailored around their university timetable to ensure the right balance. Two 18-year-old scholars have already made their debuts for the first team during our pre-season fixtures, showing their progress in the opening three months. We want players to Ben Ward [email protected] come through this system and leave university with a degree Director of Rugby, Ealing Trailfinders 07852142495 and a professional rugby contract at Ealing Trailfinders. TY STERRY: ACADEMY MANAGER with the preparations for the 2015 World Cup. Academy members have already had a taste of what a place in the first team is like, during the pre-season friendly against Bishop’s Stortford, 18-year-olds Harry Dugmore and Charlie Dearman featured in front of the home supporters. During the Rugby World Cup in Japan a number of former Trailfinders have shown the platform that is provided by going on to play on the biggest stage in rugby. Ben Landry, Shane O’Leary, Will Magie, Djustice Sears-Duru and Kyle Sinckler all played at Trailfinders Sports Club before representing their national teams. The fact that we offer this is something we are very proud of. A lot of importance is placed on the education programme and we expect it to be well balanced between rugby and studying. Sport and education is a great mix and gives them a fantastic experience during their time here. Whilst our link with Brunel is extremely exciting, it is not only the partnership with the University which makes our Academy so comprehensive. This is an incredible opportunity for me to lead the Academy during such an exciting The Elite Player Pathway gives players the opportunity to join between the ages of time for the club. We want to create a talent 15 to 18 years old with a view to them joining our Brunel programme after for their line to compete with the best in the country, university studies. We use this environment to give them the best access to the and it is already showing signs of enormous academy and they can learn by playing regularly. encouragement. After that, the Senior Academy Players are full first team squad members who are My personal journey has allowed me to be making the transition to professional rugby. These are typically players who have involved in rugby for a while, and my first finished university and will use the next year to become regulars at the top level. experience of it was coaching in Italy with Parma. I moved there in 2000 and coached The below graphic will demonstrate how we see the pathway of our academy, there for two years before spending the next which will give them the best platform to succeed. six years travelling around the country with Italy Rugby. I then went to work for the SRU on their development programme which was great and from there an opportunity came up with England Rugby. I managed Middlesex as a Development Officer and was involved a lot [email protected] ET/ BRUNEL ET ET ELITE PLAYER UNIVERSITY SENIOR FIRST PATHWAY PROGRAMME ACADEMY TEAM EALING TRAILFINDERS - WHO WE ARE Since being taken over by Mike Gooley in 1999 Ealing Trailfinders have gone on to play on the biggest stage in rugby. Ben been on a remarkable journey, rising from National Three South to the Landry, Shane O’Leary, Will Magie and Djustice top of the Greene King IPA Championship. Sears-Duru and Kyle Sinckler all show the platform that is provided. Ealing Trailfinders are currently the 14th best rugby team in England, and have set their sights on becoming a Premiership club in the near With an outstanding rugby facility which offers future. Promotion to the second tier was achieved in 2015, and since everything and full time staff to assist, this is the then the progression has been significant year-on-year. most appealing place to recognise your potential in professional rugby. For the last two seasons they have reached their highest league position of second in the Greene King IPA Championship, and in those The club offers a comprehensive full time rugby years the club have lifted major silverware including the British and programme which is run by over 20 full-time Irish Cup and the Championship Cup in momentous occasions at staff, ranging from rugby coaches to Trailfinders Sports Club. psychologists and chefs. The extensive coaching on offer includes expert throwing, kicking and Academy members have already had a taste of what a place in the scrum coaches as well as the backs, forwards first team is like, during the pre-season friendly against Bishop’s and skills coaches who oversee the day-to-day Stortford both Harry Dugmore and Charlie Dearman featured in front rugby activity. of the home supporters. Find out more about the club on the website, The World Cup features a number of former Trailfinders who have www.ealingtrailfinders.com EALING TRAILFINDERS - WHO WE ARE Ealing Trailinders Attack Coach Richard Wigglesworth Wales International Will Harries attacks in the Championship (Saracens and England Scrum Half) in action on the Cup Final, which was won 23-17 against London Irish. training pitch. Peter Lydon celebrates his winning try against Jersey Reds in the Greene King IPA Championship. BRUNEL UNIVERSITY Brunel University London is an international university Brunel have previously been a powerhouse in university committed to bringing benefit to society through excellence rugby, winning two British championships with the aim of in education, research and knowledge transfer. repeating those achievements during the partnership with Ealing Trailfinders. Founded in 1966, Brunel has a reputation for high-impact academic research and entrepreneurial flair. The university It has over 2,240 sports members across 56 different sports works extensively with industry partners, contributing to whilst being ranked in the top third of universities worldwide. global innovation and policy change. Situated in Uxbridge, the university has a broad portfolio of undergraduate and STUDENTS - 13,000 STAFF - 2600 postgraduate programmes that attract 13,000 full-time 45 SPORTS CLUBS - Ranging from Archery to Weightlifting students and 2,600 staff from more than 100 countries across the world.