Skills academy for young players lined up at Strathmore Rugby Club

A charitable project to develop youth rugby will set up a skills academy this year.

Last month, the Strathmore Rugby Club Community Trust was founded to increase local participation in rugby union and league.

The Trust works with Strathmore RFC, Brechin RFC, Scottish Rugby Union, and the Scottish Rugby League and will be based out of Strathmore Rugby Club in Forfar.

It will increase playing numbers and ability by developing players, coaches and volunteers through a series of programmes promoting the positive ethos and values of rugby, improving health and giving back to the community.

A new rugby academy for secondary age pupils will precede development of women’s and girl’s rugby, walking rugby and touch rugby.

All projects are designed to be inclusive and operate within a safe environment.

A spokesman said: “We will aim to encourage participants from other sports thus promoting an all-inclusive environment.”

The rugby academy will run during term time on a Friday afternoon for all S1-S6 pupils, male and female, and be based at Strathmore Rugby Club.

The first-term curriculum will include input from rugby union and rugby league coaches, strength and conditioning coaches and health professionals.

This will develop players’ skills and provide them with the tactical and conditioning knowledge to make the move into adult rugby.

Further information will be released in the coming weeks, and trustees Stuart Gray, David Brown and John Westwood can be contacted over any queries.