The RAAS and Dorking RFC Join Forces to Boost Rugby Development and Participation
Dorking Rugby is thrilled to announce a new partnership with the Royal Alexandra and Albert School in Reigate, marking a significant milestone in the pursuit of fostering rugby development and encouraging more young players to embrace the sport.
This exciting collaboration will see both organisations working hand-in-hand to achieve their shared vision of promoting rugby and providing unparalleled opportunities for young athletes.
Key highlights of the partnership include:
- Rugby Development Support: DRFC will provide coaching support for the RAAS Junior & Girls Rugby Programmes, aiming to nurture the next generation of rugby stars.
- Further Education Support: For 16-18 year-olds, a unique opportunity will be offered at Dorking RFC, supported by RAAS. This programme includes the potential for young participants to secure placements within the club, enriching their learning experience regardless of chosen path.
- Shared Facilities: To ensure year-round rugby action, RAAS & DRFC are excited to explore the possibility of sharing facilities and operational resources on an agreed basis. This collaboration underscores the joint commitment to collaboratively enhancing opportunities across the wider community.
- On Field Support: Dorking RFC will proudly support RAAS with any essential rugby kit where possible, ensuring that students have access to top-quality equipment to help support player development.
- Supporting Participation: Dorking is committed to supporting School boarders with weekend rugby activities and will be offering support to encourage not only participation but facilitating any on field requirements for those that previously could not gain access to the opportunity to do so.
Key personnel from both organisations expressed their excitement about this new partnership:
Joseph Rowe, Head of Rugby at RAAS stated the following: "Dorking Rugby Club is an outstanding club with fantastic facilities and we are proud to be setting the example for positive collaboration between club and school, a relationship which has become evermore integral to our Player Progression Pathway. These initial actions will undoubtedly form the basis for what will be a very prosperous partnership for all involved.
For some of our students who come from disadvantaged backgrounds, the socioeconomic implications of joining a rugby club mean that it is simply beyond reach, despite possessing limitless passion and talent. Therefore, we are incredibly excited to be partnering with Dorking RFC, as we take a key step forward in our shared mission to break down barriers within our sport."
Armand Roux, Director of Rugby at Dorking RFC stated the following: "We are excited to join forces with The Royal Alexandra and Albert School (RAAS) to expand the horizons of rugby development. Dorking Rugby Club facilities will be made available on an agreed schedule to RAAS players to further enhance rugby provision for school after-school clubs. We'll open our facilities to support their technical, tactical, and physical development where we can.
RAAS is a school we are proud to be in partnership with as the core values of RAAS are very closely aligned with that of Dorking RFC and their passion for development is second to none.
This partnership embodies our commitment to not only increasing team sport participation but also providing additional opportunities for young players who may have never considered rugby before or have had limited access to the sport. Together with RAAS, we look forward to hopefully nurturing some future stars of the game."
Both organisations are dedicated to increasing team sport participation and providing additional opportunities to players who may not have previously considered rugby or had limited access to the sport.
This collaboration represents a significant step towards promoting rugby as a sport of choice for a number of children in our local area. DRFC and RAAS look forward to a successful partnership that promises to leave a lasting impact for children and young people involved.
If you are interested in your children joining Dorking RFC please get in touch on the following email address: youthrugby@dorkingrfc.com
More information about Dorking RFC can be found via the following link: https://dorkingrfc.com/