Rugby Victoria is pleased to announce that it has partnered with The Grange College P-12 to develop a new high performance rugby academy at the College. This follows on from Rugby Victoria's announcement at the end 2017 with the Minister for Sport, the Hon. John Eren MP and Minister for Roads and local Member, the Hon. Luke Donnellan MP that Fountain Gate Secondary College had become Rugby Victoria's first Government School Rugby Academy.
Rugby Victoria now has two dedicated Government School Rugby Academy Programs, one located in the South-East and one in the West of Melbourne.
Rugby Victoria General Manager Chris Evans believes this is a significant step forward in getting rugby into more Government Schools in Victoria.
“Rugby Victoria is excited to partner with the Grange College and Fountain Gate Secondary College," Chris Evans said.
"The partnership aligns to Rugby Victoria's strategic approach to grow the game within the Government school sector and both schools are strategically located in population growth corridors of Melbourne.
"I would like to thank College Principals David Smillie (The Grange) and Pete Hanratty (Fountain Gate) for their progressive approach to integrating education and sport.
The implementation of the Emerging Leaders Program in to the school academy programs has resulted in greater student engagement. The off-field mentoring and leadership programs provide the students with a sense of belonging and connection back to their cultural heritage. The education, curriculum based program will engage boys and girls from years 7-12.
"These academies provide the opportunity to grow genuine elite rugby programs and pathways within these two already strong rugby schools" said Elite Youth Development Manager Nic Henderson.
"With a number of boys and girls from our Elite Youth Development system already attending these schools, we are hoping to attract more talented young players by offering not only quality schooling but also a quality rugby program".
Under Nic Henderson's leadership, Pom Simona will be the Schools Academy Coach for both programs. Pom has a wealth of playing experience at the highest level locally and overseas, as well as extensive coaching knowledge and experience in recent years. Both schools pride themselves on their diverse student base, with a large number coming from within our Polynesian rugby community.
"The Grange P-12 College Sport Science Academy aims to build faster, stronger, more tactically advanced student athletes in the West of Melbourne with a focus on rugby as one of four pillar sports," said Kendall Clarke, Health and Physical Education Instructional Leader at the Grange College.
"With already exceptional raw talent in rugby union we are thrilled to be partnering with Rugby Victoria to be giving our student athletes from years 5-12 elite level coaching that they otherwise would not have access to.
"In partnership with Rugby Victoria our aim is to develop our College as the pre-eminent rugby school in the West".
These sentiments were echoed by Fountain Gate Secondary College Director of Rugby Jimmy Orange.
"Fountain Gate Secondary College is excited to strengthen its partnership with Rugby Victoria as we move into our fourth year of the Rugby Academy," said Orange.
"Rugby Victoria have been extremely supportive of our program and are helping to further develop our up and coming boys and girls as they set their sights on playing and being involved with Rugby Union at the highest level.
"The injection of high level coaches into our program means our students have the best opportunity to succeed in this great game.
"Rugby Union is the number one game at our school and paired with the highest of standard of educational outcomes and mentoring, our Academy has seen the best results from our students on and off the field".
