Belfast Met Rugby Academy

Providing an alternative route into the sports industry

Historically, the route into rugby in Ulster has started at one of the ‘big’ rugby schools – Belfast Inst, Campbell, Methody… the list goes on.

From there, a lucky few might be selected to represent their province and an even smaller number will be offered a place in the Ulster academy as they begin their journey into professional rugby.

But what of those who did not have the opportunity or desire to play rugby at one of the elite rugby schools?

There is a massive drop in rugby participation rates post GCSE stage as potential players leave school and move away from the game entirely. This is a major problem for the game in Ulster which already has a limited player pool due to community and economic divides.

However, alternate pathways into the sports industry are starting to give players an opportunity who choose not to pursue a ‘traditional’ route into the game, allowing them to pursue their sporting passion while also gaining an education.

Belfast Met Rugby Academy

One part of the solution to the problem of developing talent and providing opportunities to young people who aspire towards a career in sport is the Belfast Met Rugby Academy.

Led by co-ordinator Nathan Moore, the Academy is now well established and is the leading sports academy in Northern Ireland for post-GCSE students who wish to pursue a career in the game.

Despite the best efforts of Nathan and his team to get the word out about the programme, it has flown under the radar and many people in the rugby community still aren’t aware of what’s on offer.

“The Rugby Academy is a great route for those wanting to progress in some format of the game and also get their Further and Higher Education qualifications. The Academy has successfully produced a number of Ulster Senior and Irish Age-Grade Rugby players. We have good training facilities and state-of-the-art sports analytics technology which is another reason to join the academy – there are so many routes to go down in this sport in addition to playing,” Nathan explains.

Course Co-Ordinator Nathan Moore

“The issue has been making people aware of the course. We don’t have a huge marketing budget and we don’t receive much backing from the professional side of the game in Ulster in terms of promotion, so we just hope people find the course.”

“This is a fantastic opportunity for a young player to get some education while also being part of a top-quality rugby programme. It provides an opportunity to gain an internationally recognised qualification whilst gaining access to top class coaching, training facilities and sport science support. As part of the practical course, there is also an opportunity to compete for the College U18 Rugby team, who are previous Ulster Rugby U18 Cup & League Champions.”

Stuart Wightman, who went through the Belfast Met Rugby Academy, winning the Ulster Rugby U18 Cup and League during his time there, reflects on his time at Belfast Met.

“After GCSEs I went to the rugby academy. The course was something I have never experienced before in my life – you train everyday with your mates in a professional environment.

You’re on the pitch four or five times a week and in the gym three times a week. You are training like a professional rugby player. I’ve always had a massive interest in rugby – how elite athletes train and condition themselves as well the psychological aspects of the game so I loved it.”

Ulster Rugby U18 Cup & League Champions

“It gave me a good insight into professional rugby. We trained and ate like professionals while receiving elite-level coaching.

One particular highlight was going to a training camp in Portugal. It was a great set-up - we had the physios there, we went to the gym for our strength and conditioning, had pitch sessions, ate together, and came back to do recovery and video analysis.

I loved the video analysis part of the course which is something I really want to pursue as a career.”

Belfast Met’s training camp in Portugal

“I didn’t know much about the course when I started, but I’ve never looked back. I’ve gone on to study at Hartpury College which is one of the biggest rugby universities in the UK and will return to study my masters in sports business management.

I also got onto the Ulster junior set-up and managed to score a couple of tries for them coming off the bench.

I’ve also taken a big interest in coaching and was the medallions coach at Friends school, Lisburn.

The coaching is brilliant. Nathan is a father figure – he is always there for questions and advice. There is a real family environment. You get to know the staff as well as your fellow students.

I would highly recommend Belfast Met’s Rugby Academy. It has changed my life for the better and they have supported me through my journey so far.”

The course is the first of its kind to provide students at this stage with an education as well as access to professional-level rugby coaching and strength and conditioning training, as well as advice on nutrition, diet, and lifestyle.

The strength and conditioning area in Belfast Met

The model makes perfect sense as it creates a pathway for those who aspire to participate in high level sport by allowing them to pursue their passions in a professional environment and gain qualifications at the same time.

The aim is not necessarily to create a prolific breeding ground for professional rugby players, but to provide an opportunity in different areas of the game for young players and students who may otherwise slip through the net.

However, with the right support from the rugby community in Ulster (especially from the professional side of the game), it appears inevitable that a natural by-product will be highly skilled and disciplined players entering the talent pool in the province.

The Academy has produced several Ulster and Irish age-grade players. One of the most high-profile graduates from the Academy has been former Ulster hooker Adam McBurney and many others go on to play at a high-level in the domestic club game or elsewhere.

Belfast Met Rugby Academy Alumni, Adam McBurney

“There are similar programmes elsewhere in mainland UK and down South. We’ve been to tournaments where schools and colleges turn up in buses emblazoned with the logos and colours of professional sides. There are really strong links and clear pathways through to the academy and professional sides.

Unfortunately, we don’t really have those links with the professional game here, but I can envision how that could be mutually beneficial for all concerned.

A good example is IT Carlow who have very strong links with Leinster. Leinster Rugby provides staff to lecture on modules in coach education and player development.

They have incredible, state-of-the-art facilities and they have produced a number of players - the likes of Joey Carbery, Peter Dooley and Tom Daly have come through there.”

Last season, Queen's University and Ulster Rugby announced a new partnership aimed at the holistic development of high-potential players along the province's performance Pathway.

However, Belfast Met, with further support, recognition and investment from the rugby community in Ulster, has the potential to further provide a unique opportunity for those aspiring to play or work in elite rugby at an earlier stage and covering a different cohort of students.

“If you or anyone you know is interested in the course, let me know and I’d be more than happy to have a chat with you.”

If you are interested in their course, please email nathanmoore@belfastmet.ac.uk or visit the website https://www.belfastmet.ac.uk/course-detail/22-24/p00235-aa/rugby-academy-sport-level-3-ft-castlereagh/