Worcester Warriors open Telford academy

Premiership side Worcester Warriors have opened a Junior Academy Centre at Telford College of Arts and Technology (TCAT).

It will see the Warriors work closely with the best young rugby players in the county and help them towards the professional game.

Warriors have three other academy centres at King Edward's School in Birmingham, Barkers' Butts Rugby Club in Coventry and Luctonians Rugby Club in Herefordshire.

Dale Smallman, head of sport at TCAT and director of rugby at Bridgnorth Rugby Club, said: "This is a real feather in our cap and an endorsement of the fabulous sporting facilities and expertise we have in our department.

"We look forward to working closely with Worcester Warriors over the coming months.

"Hopefully, this can be a stepping stone towards the launch of a rugby-specific course to our curriculum, endorsed by the Rugby Football Union, which we are keen to introduce from September next year."

All players who join the academy will be provided with strength and conditioning training as well as nutritional, medical and game support as they look to carve out a career in the sport.

Warriors currently work with around 40 youngsters at their Junior Academy Centres and plan to more than double that number within a year.

The club's high performance director Nick Johnston added: "Our Junior Academy Centres have been initiated efficiently and I am pleased that we have already been able to launch four of them.

"We understand the extent of the talent in our region and the club will continue to work hard to unearth the best players, facilitate their development and help them maximise their potential.

"We are looking forward to working with Telford College of Arts and Technology."