Sale SharksAcademy
Regional Developing Player Programme
Strategic Plan – 2015 onwards
Table of Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 2
Purpose ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 3
Principle outcomes of DPP ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Implementation/Operating standards .......................................................................................................................................................... 4
DPP Implementation Group ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
DPP Regional Organogram ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Roles and Responsibilities ............................................................................................................................................................................ 6
Sale Sharks Academy Regional DPP............................................................................................................................................................... 7
Sale Sharks Academy DPP Process ................................................................................................................................................................ 9
Core Rugby Development ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 9
Consistency of delivery across the region.................................................................................................................................................................. 10
Finance & Funding ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 12
Sale Sharks Academy DPP Strategic Plan
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Introduction
The Developing Player Program (DPP) has been introduced to provide a clear and structured package of quality coaching for new and existing
players between the ages of 12 and 15.
Clubs and schools will be invited to nominate players for inclusion in the programme, to be run jointly by the RFU, the Constituent Bodies and
the 14 Regional Academies.
The programme is an evolution of the existing CB ‘Schools of Rugby’ and has been developed following a review and game-wide consultation.
The principle objective of DPP is to provide a consistent and high quality experience which is tailored to the needs of individual players to
encourage their lifelong participation in rugby. It will identify those with talent and help them find the right direction to follow, whether that is
into professional rugby or long term participation at a level appropriate to them.
An important element of the programme will be to enable ‘talent transfer’, encouraging potential rugby union players up to the age of 15 to
join the game from playing other sports.
The program will also enhance the development and quality of players who will go on to be the lifeblood of community rugby clubs up and
down the country.
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Purpose
“Providing a high quality, individualised, player development experience, encouraging lifelong participation in the game and enabling those
with talent to be clearly identified.”
Principle outcomes of DPP
Provide a holistic and player centered experience for all players in the programme.
Assist to retain more players within the game at 16+.
Increase the number of players with enhanced skills moving upwards in the talent pathway.
Provide a positive view of the sport by players, parents and other stakeholders.
Develop coaches both within the talent pathway and community game with enhanced skills and knowledge to meet the needs of players at
this stage in their development.
Strengthen clubs and schools by improving the standard of the players within them.
Simplify the player pathway by consolidating Constituency Bodies and Regional Academy activities.
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Implementation/Operating standards
Involve a partnership between Rugby Football Union (RFU), Regional Academy (RA) & Constituent Body (CB).
DPP Implementation Group
RFU
Ian Bletcher PDO
Academy
Ray Unsworth
Cheshire
Jim Nicholson
Cheshire
Nick Hughes
Academy
Brendan Thomas
Central
Administration
Helen Stuart
Cheshire
Administration
Helen Stuart
Lancashire
James Walker
Lancashire
Ian Spivey
Lancashire
Administration
Kate Benetta
DPP Regional Organogram
DPP
Implementation Group
Admin: Helen Stuart
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Nick Hughes/Jim
Nicholson
Admin: Helen Stuart
East Cheshire
Central
Cheshire
Sale Sharks Academy DPP Strategic Plan
James Walker
Admin: Kate Benetta
West Cheshire
Manchester
North
Lancashire
Merseyside
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Roles and Responsibilities
The programme will be governed through the Player Development Sub Committee, Community Game Board and the Player Performance
Group, Professional Game Board.
The RFU Player Development Officer (PDO) will assess and approve the regional annual implementation plan against the stated principles and
operating standards. The PDO is accountable for the delivery and quality of the plan.
The DPP will be locally managed through the “DPP Management Group”.
The Regional Academy’s role to provide an operational lead of the DPP will be mandatory.
It is recognised that best practice will involve the delivery of the programme through a partnership between the RFU, RA and the CB/s.
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Sale Sharks Academy Regional
North West Region
DPP
Isle of Man
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Delivered by way of 14 ‘annual implementation plans’ (based on RA boundaries).
Age Groups and contact time (Under 13-16)
a) Under 13s (20 hours development through extended assessment opportunity)
b) Under 14s & 15s (36 hours development time minimum including any physical development activities or off pitch development
activities)
c) Under 16s (Optional)
Broad Player numbers (it is an aspiration to engage with 10% of the playing population registered in clubs).
Annual Coach Development programme including webinars, online tools and suggested reading, through creation of a “Coach Development
Hub” to include a wider network of community based club and school youth coaches. This is to be agreed with the RFU PDO (18 hours
recommended).
Head Coach should show demonstrable commitment to personal development and be Level 3 qualified (or working towards) as a minimum.
Coach to player ratio of 1:12
Holistic Player Development:
a) Skill (Technical & Tactical)
b) Physical
c) Mind-set
d) Lifestyle
Competition/playing opportunity to support learning (internal at under 14, inter centre at under 15 recommended).
Medical provision as per RFU guidance. (See Appendix)
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Players from clubs and schools should be provided with an opportunity to be involved in DPP. At all times it should be understood and
recognised that the individual development needs of each player may be being met at an alternative establishment.
Sale Sharks Academy DPP Process
Technical Programme
Curriculum
GCCP
Lines Decisions
Ball Contact Present
Tackle ACF
Contact & Contest
Positional Skills
Defensive Movement
Situational Practice
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1
2
3
4
14
15
5
6
7
8
Core Rugby Development
 Grip, Carry, Pass & Catch (Ball transfer & Security)
 Lines of Run, decisions, identify &threaten space
 Contact & Contest Skills; Ball into contact & presentation skills, race for space
 Defence; Approach, Contact, Finish, Contest, Counter ruck, defensive roles & responsibilities
 Development of personal skills
 Collective & team skills
 Focus Games that are situational and consolidate learning
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Consistency of delivery across the region
Nomination (See Appendix)
Clubs and Schools are invited to nominate up to 5 U13 players who are considered to have the appropriate potential for the DPP. Players who
were in the U13 DPP for the previous season are automatically invited to be re-assessed for the new season's U14 DPP. A small number of
players from each site are not required to be assessed and will be selected directly in to the new seasons U14 squad. The CB webpage will have
a list of those players and also those players who you do not need to re-nominate. Clubs and Schools can also nominate a limited number of
other U14 players who were not in the previous season’s U13 squad. It is then the same nomination process for the U15 DPP.
Assessment
The players will be assessed on the criteria of the core skills technical programme/curriculum above.
Field Sheet (See Appendix)
All sites will use a common field sheet for consistency.
Feedback Sheet (See Appendix)
All sites will use a common feedback sheet for consistency.
Coaching Style
The major focus throughout the programme is in the delivery of adaptive games or games for understanding in sessions & assessment.
Physical Literacy: Focus on developing Agility,Balance & Coordination, strength and range of movement through comprehensive warm-up
protocols including SAQ but not exclusively, full body callisthenic circuits and cool down strategies. Movements and exercise used will be
selected to develop a rounded athlete capable of producing a range of tasks not specific sport skills.
Education: Follow aspects of the Sharks Development Group curriculum relevant to player development. Core modules would be fundamental
nutrition in-line with the RFU 10 pillars of nutrition, Psychology and lifestyle which aims to implement practical applications of Psychological
Characteristics of Developing Excellence.
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Finance & Funding
The RA will as a minimum match RFU investment (through direct funding or services provided).
CB investment in the DPP is optional however a partnership contribution is encouraged through the Planning, Funding, Reporting process to
maximise the effectiveness of the programme for the benefit of the players and coaches involved.
Where possible funding will be directed to and managed by the RA on behalf of the partnership. (Should the partnership agree on a different
administrative mechanism this must be approved by the PDO).
The total funding available for each DPP will be confirmed by the PDO following approval of the annual implementation plan. Funding will be
released in three stages; 50% in September, 25% in January, 25% in April based on confirmation of the successful delivery of the agreed annual
implementation plan by the PDO.
In the event that either party considers themselves aggrieved both the CB and RA have the right of appeal. The CB through their Council
Member to the RFU Playing Pathways Manager or the RA to the RFU Head of Regional Academies.
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