The aim is to provide a unique education opportunity for students to study at Rodney Parade whilst also enabling them to develop their rugby skills.
The first stage of our Education plan is to promote the provision by engaging with schools from all corners of the region to highlight this superb opportunity for 6th form education. We start this process with an open day on Thursday 28th May at Rodney Parade from 10am to 1pm which include a stadium tour, a skills session and an education presentation.
Our vision is to further engage with our community through this superb education offering of a BTEC Extended Diploma in Sport, which equates to 3 A Levels after the two years of study. In addition to this, students will also undertake the Welsh Baccalaureate in association with their school to secure another A Level equivalent qualification whilst also learning valuable life skills. If that wasn’t enough, those who sign up for this provision will also access 8 hours per week of quality rugby development training, S&C support and a 10 a side fixture programme. The desired impact is that on graduating in July 2017 with the 4 A Level equivalent qualifications, it will open up many avenues for additional education and sporting pathways including university or employment.
This provision will also make an impact with schools and clubs as the students will still be enrolled with their school which allows them to represent the schools 6th form rugby team and clubs will have players who have been up skilled via the technical programme, a win, win situation.
When asked about the new Education and Sporting provision, Dragons back row star Lewis Evans said: “Education is very important alongside participating in Sport to give you knowledge but also essential life skills for the future and I talk from experience having studies for a university degree whilst playing professional rugby and also coaching.
"Discipline, self-motivation, work ethic, planning and learning are all transferable skills from Education to Sport and vice versa so both dovetails perfectly as in the new provision. This is a great opportunity for our regional youngsters and I hope it is successful as I have a passion for youth development and this provision ticks all the right boxes.”
“TVS are delighted to have partnered the Dragons to offer students with an interest in sport a new and unique provision combining a first class education giving the potential to lead on to exciting pathways with the ability to be taught at the home of regional rugby in Gwent and immerse themselves in the ethos and atmosphere of a professional sports club. First class teaching combined with first class coaching and mentoring makes this a very exciting prospect for those involved. We believe this combination is one which is exclusive to the Dragons and not currently available at any other professional rugby club.” commented Alan Whiteley, TVS Education Limited Director
The second stage of our proposal for September 2016 is to expand & provide this education provision via satellite schools from September 2016 and have already gained full support from Croesyceiliog School, Llanwern School, Lewis School, Pengam & King Henry VIII School which will cover a vast section of our region over four authorities.
If you require any further information on this exciting provision then please contact Community Manager, Mike Sage via email: mike.sage@rodneyparadeltd.com
