Elite Sports Programme

If you’re already playing at county level (within the DPP/ PDG at a Premiership Rugby Academy) or above, and want to reach the pinnacle of your sport, then you may be suited to our Elite Sports Programme.

As a college, we currently provide opportunities through this scheme in three sports - Rugby Union, Rowing and Basketball. Our offering is further strengthened by proud partnerships with renowned professional clubs, Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Club, Leander Club and Reading Rockets. If you’re selected to join us, you’ll combine relevant academic study with professional coaching and training, and you’ll be with us from between six months and two years. You’ll study towards either a full A Level programme, or vocational equivalent, while taking full advantage of our facilities and professional coaching staff . As an Elite Sports student at The Henley College, you’ll follow a bespoke performance programme, incorporating all aspects of technical and tactical coaching alongside physical conditioning and support. You will also have the opportunity to compete at the highest level of College Sport through our extensive fixtures and competition programme. This programme is demanding both physically and mentally, so only apply if you have a real commitment to your sport and academic studies. Your coaches and teachers will have high expectations and will push you to achieve your academic and sporting potential on a daily basis. Past students have gone on to represent their country, secure professional full-time contracts and obtain sporting scholarships at top universities, both at home and abroad. The Elite Sports Programme at The Henley College has a proven track record in developing, well rounded, talented young athletes and acting as a stepping stone to progressing onto a higher level of education and sport.

Offering the perfect environment for talented rugby players to combine their rugby development with a continued education, The Henley College Rugby Academy competes in the RFU ACE League and operates in close partnership with Ealing Trailfinders as a satellite Elite Player Programme (EPP) and with our local partner, Henley Hawks Rugby Club. We have worked hard to develop the perfect all-round performance package to take your rugby to the next level. The level of support offered at The Henley College is designed to mirror a professional rugby club environment. Being on the programme, you will have regular access to a range of professional services created to develop and improve you as an all-round player. Through our partnership with the Ealing Trailfinders, Henley College rugby players have an articulated pathway to Brunel University, where the Trailfinders offer a full-time rugby scholarship programme run by over 20 full-time staff. Brunel Rugby Union field four teams and have BUCS fixtures weekly. On a Trailfinders scholarship at Brunel, you will have the opportunity to train with the first team at Ealing Trailfinders, giving you immediate exposure to international standard players to help your development. You may also be invited to attend full pre-season training with the club. Other recent university destinations our rugby players have progressed onto include Exeter, Loughborough, Cardiff, Nottingham Trent and Cardiff Met who all compete in BUCS Super Rugby.