Scholarships, Streaming, and the School Game, with Will James

Rugby Coach Weekly

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In this episode, Dan sits down with Will James, Director of Sport at Ampleforth College, former Wales international, and ex-Gloucester star, to explore the realities of schools rugby.

They tackle big topics, from the health of the game in the North East and the impact of concussion awareness, to balancing school–club relationships, the role of streaming in player development, and the thorny issue of scholarships.

Will shares honest insights from his dual perspective as a former professional and an educator, offering a thoughtful look at how schools can deliver meaningful rugby experiences while keeping player welfare at the heart of it all.

Key takeaways:

• The school rugby landscape in the North East is thriving, with strong fixtures and competitive programs.
• Concussion awareness has improved, with better education for players, parents, and coaches.
• Open communication between schools and clubs is essential to manage player workload.
• Streaming players can benefit both safety and skill development if managed with care.
• Scholarships can boost performance but need to be balanced with fairness and player opportunity.

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