BRIDGWATER & Albion RFC, North Petherton RFC, and Bridgwater College have joined forces to launch an exciting Rugby Football Union backed player development project starting in January.

The project, which gets under way on January 29, will provide structured, high quality coaching to local male rugby players in years 10 and 11, together with additional training for players who are part of Bridgwater Colleges Rugby Academy programme.

Sessions will be delivered at Bridgwater College by a lead RFU coach, alongside coaches from Bridgwater & Albion RFC & North Petherton RFC.

The coaching curriculum will be focused around individual technical development together with physical development through the use of Bridgwater Colleges Health & Fitness suite.

Hamish Morton, Further Education RFU Development Officer, said: “We hope the Sedgemoor Rugby Development Centre will establish mutually beneficial links between two proactive rugby clubs and the Bridgwater College as well as with local schools in the area.

“Providing quality coaching, advice and support to young players in these key age groups will develop them into more capable individuals and help retain them within the game both at college and at their rugby clubs.”

Steve Smith, Bridgwater & Albion chairman, said: “This is a genuinely exciting opportunity, through the combination of the two leading local clubs, a major education establishment and the games governing body working in partnership to develop rugby football in and around Bridgwater.”

Bill Frost, North Petherton chairman, said: “We are looking forward to getting involved in this exciting local project.

“It’ll undoubtedly be valuable to everyone involved and most significantly, help provide some high quality coaching for our young players.”

Places are limited, so Under-15 and Under- 16 male rugby players who are interested in registering or finding out more information should email sport@bridgwater.ac.uk with their name, date of birth, school and current club.