The only requirements for qualification are the strict size criteria involved. We are looking for players in the under-14 to under-16s age groups who are at least six feet tall and wear at least size 11 boots.
Players meeting the criteria will be invited to attend sessions at Oval Park with some of Tigers’ leading development coaches, including the club’s head of rugby development Carl Douglas.
“With LTAD (long term athletic development) at the forefront of our minds, the ‘big fella’ in a team can be overlooked by the traditional selection processes. Age and size issues mean skills such as running, passing and technical sense take longer to develop,” said Tigers community manager Scott Clarke.
“We hope this ABC initiative will start to change that and provide an exciting and challenging opportunity for the bigger lads.”
Tigers have a reputation built over a number of years for the excellence of their front-five forwards, with legends like Martin Johnson, Graham Rowntree, Ben Kay, Richard Cockerill, Darren Garforth and Julian White wearing the shirt with distinction.
As part of the community programme, working with the professional academy, Tigers will hold a series of workshops for forwards who fit the physical criteria. And these are not just for experienced players who have come through mini and junior age groups, there is also an opportunity for newcomers to get involved if they meet the entry requirements.
Contact the Tigers Community Department for details and an application form. Call 0116 2171 283, email [email protected] or write to Scott Clarke, Community Manager, Leicester Tigers, Aylestone Road, Leicester LE2 7TR.
