Canterbury RFC & Archbishops ACE academy

Applications Open – 4th November 2025 @ 9am

Applications Close – 1st June 2026 @ 5pm

Entry Requirements – Specific to the Subject

How to Apply – Please apply via KentChoices

Canterbury Rugby Club’s Player Pathway Programme is giving local sportsmen and women a professional Rugby experience through our brand-new ACE academy programme. Our on-pitch sessions will focus on the; technical, tactical, physical and mental components of the sport. With off field development focused on the whole player; nutrition, tactics, mentoring and mental skills.

Successful applicants will have access to the wider support of the CRFC Rugby Family. Including season tickets to home matches, a kit package and educational/professional exit routes.

Travel grants available to all students living outside Canterbury.

TRAIN EVERY DAY

Following the RFU elite player model you will receive 2 hours of rugby education daily. This will include playing opportunities on a weekly/fortnightly basis, analysis opportunities and technical and tactical coaching sessions.

Vocational qualifications

England Rugby Coaching Award

All players will have the opportunity to leave the programme with an ERCA award in Rugby Coaching (equivalent to a Level 1 and Level 2 qualification).

Players can also complete the England Rugby Refereeing Award.

This will bolster student’s professional and vocational opportunities when leaving the programme.

FULL PLAYER ANALYSIS

Partnered with VEO & Hudl our players will be analysed for performance and profiling both through training and matches. You will learn how to analyse to enhance and maximise individual development.

Individual Development Plans

All players will have bespoke development plans created to best challenge and inform their rugby learning journey.

This course sits alongside your other subject choices. Please add this course as well as a minimum of three A Level/BTEC Level 3/GCSE qualifications

We believe in developing the whole person and as such, have aligned our course with foundation degrees at Canterbury Christchurch University and access to over 50 club sponsors for professional opportunities.