THE ACADEMY IS BORN...
Tom Croft opened Burton RFC’s new academy of rugby in June 2012 and accepted the role of patron. In establishing the academy our vision developed to provide a leading seat of rugby education in the midlands for all abilities and in doing so preparing players for senior rugby. The season has seen over 70 academy players between the ages of 16-19 develop and enjoy their rugby, resulting in a fantastic role of honours.

Off the pitch the academy was also busy, firstly setting a new Guinness World Record for the longest game of touch rugby at over 36hrs, then a 2 day residential pre-season training camp at Harper Adams University and culminating in both junior and senior colts touring to Ireland and Wales at Easter.

Boasting a staff of over 30 dedicated volunteers and 4 RFU Level 2 coaches, the academy has worked tirelessly to provide increased provision in every area. An introduction of a periodised training plan, player profiling and dart-fish match analysis all were added to the previous year’s programme. Our biggest asset however was the continued coaching from Tigers Academy Tosh Askew, both players and the coaching team lurched forward in their knowledge of core skills and game-sense.

Senior Colts Head Coach Pete Weedon received the coveted coach of the year award from East Staffordshire Sports.

Individual Successes
10 players representing national cup U20 county squads (Staffs, NLD, Glos and Northumbria) 5 players at Nottingham Academy – further strengthening our strong links
3 players for Burton 1st XV and 11 for AXV.
- Eddie Nicholls – Sanix Cup U18 Hartpury Squad, World Youth Cup (Japan)
- George Prince – Leicester Tigers Academy
- James Gibbons – Gloucester Academy, England Students (2 caps)

Team Successes
Junior colts - competed in both the Staffordshire cup and league as well as entering the national U17s Cup;
- Junior Colts League Champions (10 wins undefeated)
- Junior Colts Staffordshire U17 Cup Champions
- Junior Colts Midlands Cup Finalists (U17 National Cup)
Senior colts - competed in the Leicestershire U19 league and cup, boasting the best colts teams from NLD, Staffs, Warwickshire and of course Leicestershire and the Staffordshire U19 Colts Cup.
- Senior Colts 3rd place in Leicestershire U19 league
- Senior Colts Staffordshire U19 Cup Champions
- Senior Colts Leicestershire U19 Cup Finalists (Welford Road)

2013-2014
Already the plans are well advanced for next season. The following summarises only a part of the ongoing improvements, which see the academy strive to mirror the leading premiership equivalents;
- Appointment of a fully qualified strength and conditioning coach
- Appointment of a consultant surgeon into our injury management team
- Continued guest sessions with both Nottingham and Leicester academies coaching staff
- Incorporation of the U16 age tier and increased focus on the U22 development XV