Developing raw talent into future Sharks. For 16–18-year-olds.

Our Junior Academy comprises of players between the ages of 16 and 18 years old. This is the next step in our Player Pathway for graduates of the Developing Player Program (DPP) and other identified players of potential.

Sessions are split between our Academy training sites at Carrington & Myerscough throughout the season with a key focus on core skill alongside positional and situational awareness, with the physical activity complemented by expert nutritional advice, mental preparatory skills and more

Training for our Junior Academy begins with pre-season preparation in June (U16 and U18 squads) and finishes with the RFU Regional Academies Festival at the end of August.  Training resumes in October through to February/March.  For the U17 squad, training runs from February to April.

When transitioning through the Junior Academy each player will be assessed via internal competitive fixtures as well as fixtures against other Academies, in order to select the Under 18s squad for following season.

(The U15-16 Group train 60+ hours of contact time and the U17/18 Group 120+ hours of contact time.)