Bmw And RFU Launch Performance Academy
BMW & the Rugby Football Union have announced a new partnership to develop the future talent of English rugby – the BMW Performance Academy – which will form part of the RFU National Academy Programme.
An initial pool of more than 30 players hasbeen selected by the England coaches for the BMW Performance Academy fromacross the existing elite age-grade development programme (U16, U18 and U20), aswell as those aged over 20 close to breaking into the senior squad.
Based on their considered potential tograduate to the elite England team, members of the BMW Performance Academy willreceive tailored support to help them progress.
The player, club coach and the RFU willwork together to create an Individual Development Plan (IDP) to ensure that thekey skills required for that particular individual are specially developed.
England head coach Stuart Lancaster, whohas overseen the development of English players over the last four years in hisrole as RFU Head of Elite Player Development, said: ‘The BMW PerformanceAcademy will help equip our promising young players with the skills needed tosucceed at the highest level. We’re working hard in conjunction with their clubcoaches to give them the individual support they need both on and off the pitchas we work towards the Rugby World Cup in 2015 and beyond.’
In addition, this innovative partnershipwill see BMW, the official vehicle supplier to England Rugby, working with theRFU to bring specific expertise using its people, facilities and knowledge toprovide a programme including Personal Development Training, BMW AmbassadorMentors, Responsible driving training and work experience.
Sophie Goldschmidt, RFU chief commercial officer,added: ‘This is an exciting long-term partnership that will see BMW investacross the game, from the age grade sides to the England elite squad. BMW isalready bringing innovative ideas on how to share its expertise from the worldsof sport and business, to benefit the future of the English rugby.’
