The WRU are on course to radically change the academy system in Wales, with changes close to becoming reality
The Welsh Rugby Union is keen to get moving with its plans for a National Academy(Image: Getty Images)
The Welsh Rugby Union is proposing to centrally contract all the academy coaching staff at the four professional clubs as soon as possible in the first move towards a National Academy system.
This was always the WRU’s intention as it plans to invest £28m into the pathway over five years but it wants to push through changes now rather than wait until other aspects of its long-term strategy are in place.
WalesOnline understands part of the plan is to retain the four independent academies which would essentially become a national academy with a regional badge.
It is early days but the WRU is looking to better resource the pathway by appointing more elite level coaches to work across the academy system over the next year.
They could appoint a team of staff to represent the individual academies while also having crossover with central staff.
Each regional academy should receive more support for S&C and specialist coaching over the next year or so.
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Currently, the four regions run their own academies, with national age-grade coaches selecting players for higher honours.
The WRU’s desire is to centrally contract every academy player but the regions are unlikely to agree to this currently.
The long-term plan includes establishing 12 Player Development Centres (PDCs) for players aged 14–18 — replacing the current five junior academies — before progression to regional centres and, for the very best, a national academy.
As part of the WRU’s investment into the pathway, more money would be available to retain top talent in Wales.
For years many of Wales’ best talent has joined the academies of Gallagher Premiership clubs, with the offer of studying at prestigious institutions such as Millfield and Clifton.
As things stand senior academy contracts in Wales are worth around £5,000, and top talent often has to be pushed onto senior contracts.
In comparison Gallagher Prem clubs routinely offer contracts between £18,000-£20,000 for young players but moves are underway to bridge this gap as part of the new structure.
However, the WRU has previously stated that the full investment into the pathway largely depends on reducing the number of professional clubs from four to three.
This part of the union’s strategy is a long way from coming to fruition, with aq tender process likely to be required and four teams remaining until 2028.
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