SELBY RUFC are to set up a rugby academy to develop the club’s next generation of players.

Aiming to enhance the progression of youngsters in the 16 to 19 age range, while easing the transition from colts to senior rugby, the Selby RUFC Rugby Academy will “provide an enjoyable rugby experience while simultaneously developing and enhancing the mental, physical and playing capabilities of its soon to be fully fledged Swans”.

Youth development policies at Sandhill Lane are not new.

Over the last ten years, the club have strived to develop their players from micro (under-5s) and minis (U7-U16) through the U19s to develop the next crop.

The squad that won the RFU Senior Vase at Twickenham and which claimed the Yorkshire Two title was dominated by players who came through the junior set-up.

“In order to ensure the rugby legacy continues, the establishment of a rugby academy at Selby RUFC is a natural step,” said head coach Richard Nicholson.

“Recognising the need to ensure that those players in the 16-19 age range are adequately equipped to make the step up is critical to the success of all of the senior sides, not least the first and second team squads.

“Building the spirit and squad ethic at this age is vital as very shortly age will not be the differentiator as they could find themselves playing alongside players from 19 to 60.

“We see the establishment of an academy, as well as enabling these guys to train, play and be together as a larger collective, also as an enabler for the academy coaches to provide assessments of individual player capabilities and future potential which can then be fed back to myself and my team on a more formal footing.

“We are also hoping that by establishing the academy we can attract new players and members to the club specifically in this age range – individuals who perhaps like the idea of playing but would struggle if immediately placed in the senior environment.

“We are delighted to have the experience of Steve Quinn coming to the club as academy manager and U17s coach and he will work closely with club stalwart Jason Cicero, who now coaches the U19s.”