Leicester Tigers partners Brooksby Melton College will hold a Virtual Open Day this evening (Thursday, August 20) to showcase their unique rugby offer for students.

BMC is now part of the SMB Group of colleges and is also Tigers’ key partner for the Academic, Colleges and Education (ACE) Scheme. This is a nationwide programme which sees 14 further education college-based squads, each paired with a professional club and pitted against one another in a hotly-contested development tournament.

Whilst developing their rugby abilities under Tigers coaches with 8 to 10 hours of rugby per week, young players can also complete a BTEC Level 3 and extended diploma in a subject of their choice.

Whilst Sport and Sport Science may be the usual choice, the special arrangements at the college enable some to study subjects as diverse as Agriculture and Countryside Management and still benefit from the bespoke Tigers environment led by academy coach Tom Harrison and community coach Steve Baker.

Prospective students are encouraged to log on to brooksbymelton.ac.uk between 5.00pm and 8.00pm this evening (Thursday, August 20) to find out more.

This academic year will see the first use for a newly-commissioned first team pitch, as well as three further soon-to-be-completed rugby pitches and newly refurbished accommodation blocks for those looking to immerse themselves in the full college experience.

Tigers development squad lock George Martin – who made his senior debut earlier this season – is one of several success stories from the Brooksby programme, and he explained how the full-time environment helped build his game.

“Brooksby really kicked me on in my rugby,” he said. “It was really good for me because there were a good group of lads, a good environment, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time there.

“I was living at the college so was in the environment the whole time, and I think it has really kicked me on as a player.”