Men's Rugby Academy

If you live and breathe rugby, then we’re the college for you.

You can study any of our full time school leaver programmes in any subject, including Sport and A Levels, alongside becoming a member of our Rugby Academy.

You’ll develop the knowledge and expertise you need for a career or to move on to university or an apprenticeship and gain a nationally recognised qualification whilst training and playing each week to develop your rugby skills.

What do we offer in our Rugby Academy?

3 Pitch sessions a week (4.5hrs)
Strength and Conditioning Programme
Team and Individual Video Analysis
1-2-1 and Small Group Skill Sessions
Individual Development Plans
Access to Physiotherapy
Competitive Local and National Fixtures

“When looking at sixth forms and other colleges in my last year of school, no one else could offer what Gateshead College is able to; I can play the sport I love, whilst working towards a qualification.”

April Ishida Ryton RUFC, Durham County RFU, DMP Durham Sharks Centre of Excellence, England U18’s

Roll of Honour

Will McCubbin - Scottish Exiles, Northumberland U18’s, Morpeth RFC
Matthew Jenkinson - Scottish Exiles, Northumberland U18’s and U20’s, Blaydon RFC, Northumbria Uni 1st team
Robbie Forbes - England U18’s, Bristol, Gloucester, Hartpury University 1st team, Ryton RFC Durham County U18’s, Northumbria University 1st Team
Larry Mew - Newcastle Falcons Academy, North of England, Northumberland County U18’s and U20’s, Ponteland RFC
Elliott Beattie - Newcastle Falcons Academy, Hartpury University, Blaydon RFC, Durham County U18’s and U20’

Rugby Academy Coach

Phil Wallis

Phil has a vast amount of coaching experience, and started his coaching journey at West Hartlepool RFC, then Consett RFC. He then moved onto DMP Sharks and was part of the coaching team that secured their best ever finish in the top tier of the Premier 15’s.

During his time at DMP Sharks, Phil coached many current and former Scottish, English, Spanish and New Zealand Internationals, and was also the Lead Coach for DMP Sharks Centre of Excellence for 3 years.

In December 2021, Phil was asked by England Rugby to re-launch the Centre of Excellence, and developed the England Rugby North East and Cumbria U18 Girls Centre of Excellence to be one of the best in the country.

Since beginning the programme in December 2021, Phil has seen 16 players selected into the England U18 Talent development group, 7 of his players called up into the England U18/19’s and 2 former players play for England U20’s.

For 12 years Phil was a Lead Coach and Coach Developer within the Durham County DPP programme.

Phil is now the Head Coach of the Northumbria University Women’s 1^st XV alongside his role at Gateshead College.