Rugby

Purpose

The Fountain Gate Secondary College Rugby Academy is designed to develop male and female students as athletes, leaders and young people through a high-quality rugby and athlete development program. The Academy provides students with opportunities to improve their physical performance, technical skills, tactical understanding while supporting their academic success.

The program aims to:

• Develop confident, skilled and resilient rugby players.
• Build strength, speed, fitness and athletic performance through structured strength and conditioning.
• Teach leadership, teamwork, communication and sportsmanship.
• Promote healthy lifestyles, discipline and lifelong participation in physical activity.
• Provide clear development pathways to representative, club and elite rugby opportunities.
• Create a positive environment where students strive for excellence both on and off the field.

Students participate in a program that combines practical rugby training, classroom learning, strength and conditioning, performance analysis and competition throughout the year.

Fountain Gate Secondary College is the only South-East School competing in both Rugby League and Rugby Union competitions. This broadens students playing experiences, enhances their understanding of the game and creates additional representative and talent pathway opportunities.

Structure

Year 9 & 10 Rugby Academy 

Students enrolled in the Rugby Academy participate in timetabled Rugby Academy classes as part of their regular school program. These classes provide a balance of practical and theoretical learning, allowing students to develop their skills both on and off the field.

Throughout the year, students engage in:

• Rugby Union and Rugby League skill development
• Team tactics and game understanding
• Structured strength and conditioning sessions
• Speed, agility and athletic development
• Performance testing and goal setting
• Health and Physical Education theory aligned with the Victorian Curriculum, including topics such as anatomy, nutrition, training principles, injury prevention and performance analysis.

The program is designed to develop well-rounded student-athletes by combining practical performance with an understanding of the science behind athletic development.

Year 11 & 12 Rugby Academy

Senior Rugby Academy students continue to build on their athletic and leadership development while completing the Certificate III in Sport, Aquatics and Recreation alongside their VCE or VCE VM studies.

The qualification provides students with practical industry skills and knowledge relevant to careers in sport, recreation and fitness. Students develop competencies in areas including:

• Coaching and officiating
• Planning and delivering training sessions
• Strength and conditioning principles
• Athlete development
• Risk management and safety
• Working effectively within the sport and recreation industry
• Leadership and teamwork

Students continue to participate in rugby training, strength and conditioning, competition and performance testing while gaining a nationally recognised qualification that prepares them for further study, employment or coaching opportunities within the sports industry.

Year 7 & 8 Pre Academy 

Year 7 and 8 students have the opportunity to participate in structured rugby trainings and strength and conditioning sessions before and after school. These sessions will focus on developing sport specific skills, physical qualities and preparation for U14 and U15 competitions. 

Competitions and Fixtures

Throughout the school year, students compete in a range of Rugby League and Rugby Union competitions, allowing them to develop teamwork, resilience, leadership and match awareness against other schools. 

Academy students may be selected to represent the College in the following competitions:

Rugby League

• Storm Cup U16 Boys and Girls (Term 1)
• Storm Cup U18 Boys and Girls (Term 2)
• NRL Vic Cameron Munster Cup U16 Boys and Girls (Term 3)
• NRL Vic Cameron Smith Cup U14 Boys and Girls (Term 3)
• NRL Vic Rugby League 9's Gala Days

Rugby Union

• Rugby Vic Shield U15 Boys and Girls (Term 2 and Term 3)
• Rugby Vic Shield 1st XV Boys and Girls (Term 2 and Term 3)
• Rugby 7's Gala Days

Victorian Schools Touch Rugby Championships

• Exhibition Fixtures throughout the year

Rugby Academy Staff

World Rugby Level 2 Coach

ASCA Level 2 Strength and Conditioning Coach

Coaches

World Rugby Level 1 Coach

ASCA Introduction Level Strength and Conditioning Coach

Rugby Academy Class Teacher

Uniform

• Academy Uniform Available to be purchased.
• Training Tee
• Gym Singlet
• Gym Shorts

Eligibility

• Attendance
• Behaviour
• Attitude
• Contractual agreement – Students & parents will be required to sign a contract at the start of the Academy. Your continued eligibility to attend the academy will be monitored regularly.

For students wishing to apply, a Rugby Academy Application needs to be completed and submitted, as well as an Academy Interview held with staff of the Rugby Academy.