Navan Rugby Football Club

Welcome to Navan RFC Academy,

A club and its dedicated supporters can take no greater pride than in seeing one of its very own pull on a first team jersey.

 Academy Brochure PDF Download (110.73 kB)

At Navan RFC we realise that a successful Academy is vital to the long-term achievements of our club. But the programme is more than just about finding the stars of the future - it's also about producing talented, educated and well rounded young men.

We have already seen the benefits of our club progressing to AIL last season and it is our intention to develop home turf talent coming through the mini’s and youth section of the club. At Navan RFC we always create an environment which allows players to develop their rugby skills at a high quality training facility, supported by a team of qualified hard working coaching staff who will be intent on improving them as individuals.

For their part, we expect the highest standards and our Academy players to work hard academically and every time they train. It takes a huge amount of dedication to become a top quality rugby player but at Navan RFC we have proved we have the environment to nurture and develop outstanding young rugby players. So therefore Navan RFC are launching an Academy to promote and develop our players of the future.

Aims of Navan RFC Academy

• To develop an Elite Player Development Group (EPDG) who will receive specific coaching in the areas of Rugby Skill Sets, Nutrition , Body Management and Lifestyle.
• The Academy will provide a link to the Senior AIL side and ensure that each candidate will fulfill his Rugby potential.
• The Academy will provide a structure that will leverage the network of members and sponsors within the club and provide support to Candidates in the areas of Academic achievement and long term Employment.
• The Academy will be a platform that all underage players from U13 to U 19 will aspire to be a part of in order to maximize their Rugby talent.
• The Academy will provide bespoke Rugby and Fitness programs for each Candidate tailored according to age and physical development and will be subject to continuous assessment and performance measurement by the Senior Club coach.
• To ensure that the Candidates enjoy being part of a Dynamic Programme that provides valuable training for the Journey through life via the holistic approach of the Academy Team.
• To build good working relationships with all Players, Clubs, Schools, Colleges, Universities and other related parties.
• To teach responsibility, discipline and respect for themselves and the game.
• To set high standards for integrity, honesty and performance.
• The Navan Academy will be run in tandem with IRFU, Leinster Branch and Leinster Academy guidelines.

Admission Process

1. Define Entry Criteria
   • Meet fitness level and physical potential
   • Skill Level and elements of competence
   • Commitment to Navan RFC
   • Tactical and game awareness
   • Personal attitude
2. Send Invitation Letter with Accompanying brochure
3. Interview Candidates
4. Send Offer
5. Sign Contract

Funding

NRFC Executive has allocated funding to the Academy which will cover such areas as Club Membership , School Books , Travel and Bonus Incentives.

Products Delivered by the Academy

All Navan RFC Academy players will receive a personalised profile by the Navan RFC Head of Coaching.

Skills

• Unit- where possible or to be done in team context
• Individual skills- development of basic and advanced skills

Conditioning

• Increased Physical presence
• Increased Power in Contact
• Increased Strength
• Increased Athleticism
• Improved Rugby-Specific Fitness
• Decreased risk of Injury

Nutrition Advice

• Assistance from Sports nutritionist
• Guidance with weight management- losing, gaining or maintaining.
• Understanding Calorie usage relating to weight management etc

Lifestyle

• Development of appropriate character and lifestyle behaviours.

Commitment to the Academy

• Candidates will liaise with the Player Welfare Officer (PWO) to determine a suitable individual tailored programme prepared by the Head Coach. This will be monitored on an ongoing basis but not less than on a monthly basis or at predetermined times with the candidate.
• This schedule will be based on
  1. Academic commitments the member has,
  2. Rugby commitments on relevant team or teams.
  3. Determination of goals set out by member and PYO.
• Commitment to Academy to be made on a annual basis but anticipated to be a 2 year programme in most cases.
• The Academy may require members to contribute to training/development of youth teams. Candidates will be required to make presentations to share knowledge or demonstrate new skills learned.

Academy Commitment to Candidates

• The Academy will always encourage members to take up offers from any source which promotes their development as players .
• The Academy will commit to a member for a minimum of 1 year
• The Academy will protect the development of each player above the needs of any team.
• The Academy will always attempt to ensure that personal growth and confidence in the individual take precedence over team results and club requirements.

Code of Conduct for Academy Players

1. Members when representing the club will behave respectfully to sponsors, fellow club members and members of the general public.
2. Members will inform the PWO of grievances directly as soon as any arise to avoid any grudges or resentments.
3. Members are encouraged to voice constructive criticisms in an open forum to the monitoring committee with suggested solutions.
4. When playing or coaching others members will never engage in negative comments about other team members, coaching staff or opposition.
5. Members of the Academy will always strive in a manner to improve standards of play and enjoyment at Navan Rugby Club.

What do we expect from our players?

• Work towards the attainment of your full potential
• Work effectively at School or university
• Occupy your time in a manner expected by the Academy
• Comply with the training requirements of the Academy and respond in a positive manner to constructive criticism
• Maintain personal habits of health which are conducive to sporting excellence
• Abide by the spirit as well as the letter of the laws of Rugby
• Accept victory and defeat with grace and dignity
• Behave and dress in a dignified manner
• Neither use nor possess prohibited drugs or participate in any other practice prohibited by the Academy
• Co-operate with the coaches in establishing and conducting the personal development programme
• Play only in those matches planned by the Academy Manager as part of your personal development programme
• Play to the Laws of the Game and accept, without question, all referees’ decisions.
• Control your emotions. Verbal or physical abuse of team mates, opponents, or match officials is not acceptable.
• Treat all players, as you would like to be treated. Do not interfere with, bully or take advantage of any player.

What do we expect from the candidates?

• Keep winning in perspective
• Encourage a healthy lifestyle
• Encourage fair play
• Help players make their own decisions and communicate for themselves
• Set realistic targets.
• Be supportive and encouraging after a bad performance

What can candidates expect from us?

• Individual interest in and attention to each player
• Excellent communication
• Involvement of parents in planning process
• Medical support
• Access to suitable training facilities provided by the club or through other approved agencies
• High performance coaching
• Fitness and strength testing and training programme’s under supervision of qualified personnel
• Performance analysis and a supervised development programme
• Dietary advice/support

There are no guarantees. While you will be given every assistance, your development and your personal drive and ambition will be the biggest factors in your success in achieving your desired outcomes.