College of Rugby League Applications Open
Join the official Castleford Tigers pathway for men & women to gain higher education qualifications in a professional sport environment.
The club is delighted to confirm that we are now taking applications for the Castleford Tigers College of Rugby League - Development Academy programme for current Year 11 students looking for the next step in their education.
The programme sees students work towards a BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Sport which is equivalent to 3 A-Levels and has seen Sixth Form students create a pathway to attend university and continue with their rugby league progression. The educational curriculum and qualification are delivered by Virtual Learning UK who provide and employ all teaching staff and work in partnership with Castleford Tigers.
Launched in 2018, students enrolled on the course have access to professional coaches and the guidance from professional sports performances staff alongside their studies. The course allows students to be part of the Tigers Player Development Pathway which feeds directly into the Youth Department’s Scholarship, Academy and Reserve teams.
Fill out an APPLICATION FORM here
Danny Evans, Talent & Pathway Officer at Castleford Tigers, discusses why both boys and girls are enrolling with the club’s College of Rugby League - Development Academy programme.
“The number of students enrolled on the course has tripled since it first started a couple of years ago, it shows that the course is doing really well and we at the club are really pleased with it. It’s not just about the playing side of sport it includes all the aspects of sport; learning about coaching, analysis and much more. Taking place at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle means it allows access to coaches in a professional environment and allows different pathways and angles to get involved.”
“We’re over the moon that two girls that jumped on the course and they’ve been absolutely fantastic and one of the girls has gone forward and made her Women’s Super League debut with the Tigers earlier this year. The women’s game is absolutely flourishing across the sport as has been highlighted with Castleford winning the League Leaders’ Shield this year, so we hope that more girls are encouraged to enroll on the course and be part of it.”
Jade Chambers, who made her Women’s Super League debut in August is taking on the course and has thoroughly enjoyed being able to do her studies whilst continuing to progress as a rugby league player. “I’d definitely recommend it because it’s not just all about the rugby, you’re able to put what you learn to any sport because the course is teaching you about it. Now that there’s girls on the course it would be good to get more girls for the future so it’s not as one-sided.”
Bailey Hodgson has represented Castleford Tigers well in the summer, featuring in the England Under 16’s matches against France, continuing his education he signed up for the College of Rugby League – Development Academy programme and has found it highly beneficial. “It’s two days a week is the course learning with additional coaching on top of it and you learn a lot. We’ve been learning about sports phycology and sports coaching too alongside training outside and learning things you can tie into rugby league as well. All the players who aren’t in the Scholarship or Academy can be involved and stay on the Pathway and potentially get picked for a Tigers team.”
Every student signed on will receive:
- Free entry to every Castleford Tigers home fixture
- Free Castleford Tigers kit
- Free transport to and from College
- Specialist extra-curricular rugby training with professional coaches
For information or for an informal chat please contact Danny Evans on:
Phone: 07545620809 or Email: danny@castigers.com