OUR MISSION
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1.
Develop players to play 1st XV rugby for Melrose in the Premiership.
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2.
Develop players with potential to play professional and international rugby.
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3.
Establish Melrose Rugby Academy as a partner to SRU Academy.
For the 24/25 season, Melrose will be competing at the top level of Scottish club rugby. The short and long term success is based on the clubs sustainability, on and off the pitch. On the pitch, we want to sustain our long term position in the Premiership, and off the pitch we look to build on a vibrant youth system and become financially sustainable. For this to be achieved, we have identified several key areas that will give us the best chance of success, with an important action being the formation of a Rugby Academy.
Melrose will not look to 'buy' success. The long term success of the club will be based on the development of Melrose youth players across a long term plan to prepare them for 1st XV Rugby and beyond. This will be an immersive programme in addition to their normal club training. Some will become Melrose centurions, some will move on to the professional game, some will find their level elsewhere. The Academy is about excellence, driving higher standards and higher performance for the individual and the whole club. The Academy will be a vehicle for educating and upskilling players, coaches, match officials, team managers and medical staff.
OUR APPROACH
A key area linked to the formation of the MRA is exploring our inclusion within the national club conference for season 25/26. The Border Town Conference is a great vehicle for participation, but too often the score lines are heavily one sided and does not expose our players to the challenge required to develop into top youth players. We will look to grow our player base by a further 25% to maintain our commitment to the Borders Town Conference locally on Saturday mornings with another team named to play against national league opposition on Sunday mornings. Our fixture list for the 24/25 season reflects our ambitions to push forward and challenge our players to be the best they can be.
Within 3 years of the formation of the MRA, we want to be on our way to being recognised as an accredited rugby academy that can bridge the gap between club and SRU academy. We will simultaneously offer a more flexible academy experience supporting the SRU academy in servicing those players who have been injured, de-selected, have to prioritise school and work or are not quite at the required level.
WHY CREATE AN ACADEMY?
WHO CAN JOIN THE ACADEMY?
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No, you can opt in or out! MRA is an inclusive, immersive performance programme that understands that everyones path is different. If you're part of the programme, you'll be supported to achieve your goals at your pace, regardless of what stage you're at in your development.
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100%. The academy is there to support you to prepare & perform within the regional & national programmes. We will do everything we can to ensure you're in the best position possible to thrive.
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SENIOR ACADEMY- male & female players currently playing U16 & U18 rugby.
JUNIOR ACADEMY - male & female players currently playing U14 & U15 rugby.
BENEFITS
MELROSE RUGBY ACADEMY PATRON
Support the club’s commitment to youth development by becoming a Patron of our new Melrose Rugby Academy.
By becoming a Patron, your donation will contribute to a hardship fund that will ensure finance is not a barrier to participation, as well as helping to cover some of the costs associated with running the academy.
All patrons will be thanked and highlighted in the 1st XV Match Day programme and Rose Newsletter.