Stourton Park
Stourbridge RFC are really proud to be in partnership with the Sandwell college to deliver an education programme (rugby academy) designed to offer aspiring rugby players a chance to make a career in rugby and sport. Whether you’re interested in becoming a professional rugby player, rugby coach, PE teacher or Physiotherapist this course can provide a platform for an exciting career within sport.
The rugby academy will be delivering a BTEC level 3 extended diploma in sport (equivalent to 3 A levels). Alongside the education each student will be coached and taught by Stourbridge 1st team players. Students will have a similar training programme as the Stourbridge 1st team with pathways into the rugby club at all levels from our colt’s team (16 – 18 year old) to our national league 2 North (1st team) and finally our west Midlands league 1 (Stourbridge Lions). Students will have the opportunity to progress onto University to train to become future PE teachers, physiotherapists, sport coaches and strength and conditioning coaches.
To be clear, Stourbridge RFC are not looking to poach any players, but to keep local talent in the midlands. The students will study and play at Stourbridge RFC through the day and in the evenings will attend their respective club teams training sessions and play for their club on a weekend. However, new players to the sport will have a playing pathway into Stourbridge’s rugby teams at all levels.
Meet the team and success stories
Chad Thorne
Chad Thorne – Newly appointed head of community at Stourbridge rugby club.
Stourbridge boy born and raised, attended Gigmill primary school and Redhill secondary school. Played junior rugby at Stourbridge until U18’s then attended Colstons sixth form on a scholarship to further his rugby development.
From Colstons Chad signed professional for Yorkshire Carnegie. From this chad completed his degree at Hartpury college and signed for various professional and semi-professional teams including Coventry, Rotherham and finally settling at Stourbridge where he currently plays 1st team and heads up the community rugby program.
Daniel Rundle
Daniel Rundle – Sports lecturer at Sandwell college and Stourbridge 1st team player,
Born and raised in South shields (Newcastle) moved down to the midlands to play professional rugby at Coventry RFC, whilst at Coventry Daniel managed to represent Leicester tigers in the JP Morgan’s 7’s.
After this moved to Stourbridge to play 1st team. In his second year at Stourbridge decided to study at Sandwell college higher education program (HNC and HND in sports coaching and development) finishing the course with Distinctions across the board. From this gained the opportunity to do his teacher training at Sandwell where he currently works.
To find out more and sign, get in touch with Chad Thorne at: [email protected] or Daniel Rundle at: [email protected].
