PLYMOUTH Albion Rugby Football Club has joined forces with Duchy College, Stoke Climsland, to launch a new, A-level equivalent course, starting in September, which could lead to exciting careers in the rugby industry.
The idea is to allow young people interested in rugby to remain in academic education while training to become professional players, or to use the course for vocational training so they can take on other roles within the industry. These could include PR, event management, club management, coaching or journalism.
Plymouth Albion will provide the practical knowledge and experience of a national playing rugby football club while the Duchy College provides the theoretical skills for the National Diploma.
Students will need a minimum of four GCSEs with a pass of C or above to apply, and must be committed to their academic education as well as to the sport of rugby football.
If students are not taken on as players by a senior club, they will have the opportunity to continue their studies by taking a foundation degree at Duchy College or an honours degree in a subject such as sports science or sports coaching at University before following their chosen career.
Students will have the opportunity to take part in work experience and training sessions at Plymouth Albion, while they study at Duchy College. The campus offers a varied range of sporting facilities and can provide residential accommodation.
Duchy College head of leisure Martin Robinson said: ?This exciting programme is just one of our new sports related courses for young men and women in the South West. Our strong links with Plymouth Albion will allow students to achieve a qualification equivalent to up to three A-levels and open the vocational door to university.
Plymouth Albion RFC marketing manager Sam Snowdon said: ?It is a unique opportunity for Plymouth Albion to join forces with Duchy College and provide a platform for students to develop and enhance their individual skills in an industry they are passionate for. We are 100% behind the partnership and we look forward to growing with candidates who have chosen this challenging course.?
Students at Duchy College can take equivalent courses in Sport specialising in golf, and football in conjunction with Plymouth Argyle FC.