Exeter College set to inspire next generation of women’s rugby players

Mary Youlden
Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted Tuesday, May 31, 2016 - 11:39am

A new style of Women's Rugby Academy is being launched by Exeter College, in partnership with Exeter Chiefs, for students starting this autumn.

Students will benefit from first-class rugby and sports coaching, together with outstanding training and education opportunities.

Applications are now being accepted for places for entry in September 2016.

Many of the potential applicants can aspire to follow in the stud marks of former Exeter College student and current England rugby international player Poppy Leitch.

Poppy, 18, from Exeter, who is now studying for a degree in Sports and Health Sciences at the University of Exeter, studied for a BTEC Performance and Excellence course at Exeter College. She has played in the England Rugby under 20's Team, and played in the Women's Six Nations Championship with the senior side.

She said: "It is really exciting news that a new Women's Rugby programme is being launched at Exeter College.

It is a great opportunity for future women rugby players to have the chance to pursue rugby training and coaching at the same time as benefiting from academic support at Exeter College."

Pete Chapman, Head of Faculty Sport, Leisure and Tourism Exeter College, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for those female rugby players with the drive and ambition to develop their skills supported by excellent coaches in partnership with the outstanding Premiership Rugby Club 'Exeter Chiefs'.

“The opportunities to develop both their academic skills whilst also their personal rugby skills is a very exciting opportunity for the sports provision here at Exeter College." 

Jo Yapp, Head Coach of the England Under 20 Women’s Rugby Team and Head of Women’s Rugby at the University of Exeter, said: “This is a very exciting opportunity for female players and Exeter. It is great to see the female players be recognised and having the same opportunities as their male counterparts.”

To apply, please contact Chris Wall: chriswall@exe-coll.ac.uk  01392 400309

You must complete a College application form for a full time course and a Sports Academy Player Information Form which can be downloaded from the website http://www.exe-coll.ac.uk/Media/PDF/Forms/PlayerInformationForm.pdf

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