As part of a series of announcements marking the return to training of our Centre of Excellence, hullfc.com takes a look at the experienced staff nurturing our stars of the future!
The Hull FC Centre of Excellence is the club’s rugby development and education pathway, including academy, scholarship and development college squads, as well as extending to female and disability rugby league.
The Centre of Excellence also offers an exclusive, in-house education programme for aspiring rugby league players, talented athletes and those interested in a career in sport, aged 16-19.
More than 100 players are now part of the Centre of Excellence, with further places now available.
You can find out more about the Centre of Excellence and how to enrol by clicking here
Hullfc.com has been taking a look at the experienced list coaches and tutors involved in running the programme, made up of a host of current and former players.
Danny Wilson – Head of Rugby Development
Danny is one of the longest serving members of coaching staff at the club having been with Hull FC for almost a decade. As a former professional, he has gone on to become one of the country’s most qualified rugby league coaches.
Danny was recently appointed England Academy coach having spent the last few years coaching the England Youth team, and is also head coach of the club’s academy squad.
Overseeing all aspects of rugby development throughout the Centre of Excellence pathways, Danny reports directly to the club’s board who are strong advocates for the new-look programme. Danny is working closely with the club’s Chief Executive, James Clark, and Head Coach, Brett Hodgson in defining the club’s long-term strategy for youth development and talent ID.
“My role is to incorporate and define all aspects of our rugby development, both male and female, from those who may want to play socially right through to those with aspirations to play Super League. We tailor our coaching and education programmes to meet their needs.” Danny commented.
“We have first-class staff on the training field and in the classroom, plus high-quality facilities that are exclusive to our pathway. We now have a home and an identity, and we want to harness that history and image to define our culture.
“The club has high aspirations to keep developing the Centre of Excellence, being driven from the top by our owner, CEO and head coach – the club wants to build a long and lasting legacy.”
Ryan Langton – Head of Education
The Centre of Excellence insists that personal development and academic attainment is just as important as rugby progression, in which Ryan plays a key role.
He is responsible for the academic delivery of qualifications, traineeships, personal training courses and work experience, working in partnership with the club’s Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ rated education partners who also work with the likes of West Ham and Leeds United.
More so, Ryan is a former England and Hull FC Academy graduate, who found his Super League career cut short through injury, before recently returning to pro rugby with Coventy Bears, and featuring regularly for the Hull FC reserve team. Therefore, he is perfectly placed to understand the value of the rugby programme, but also the importance of preparing for other career opportunities.
He said: “Our curriculum is tailored to meet the needs of full-time rugby and sports coaching alongside a high-quality learning experience. We support all young people with an appetite for sport, whether aspiring athletes or those who simply enjoy sport and see it as a career opportunity.
“Our learning programme is unique in the sense that we focus on vocational learning, classroom-based presentations and work experience, without the pressure of exams. We make the programmes as practical as possible, allowing the students to learn and demonstrate their knowledge in a hands-on, practical way. We provide exit routes into higher education, work experience and professional rugby.
OTHER NOTABLE STAFF
Lee Crooks – Rugby Development Manager
A legend of the game, Lee brings a wealth of experience to the pathways as well as an infectious passion for growing the game. A key emphasis on his role is helping established the club’s footprint locally, regionally and nationally, through talent ID programmes and regional development hubs.
Rob Wilson – Development Coach
Another former player, Rob is one of the region’s most highly regarded youth coaches, having been involved in the game for many years. Acclaimed for his management approach with young players, Rob coaches the club’s scholarship and development squad – helping the development squad to the national title last season.
Matty Faulkner – Player Performance & TalentID Manager
Another member of the staff with youth experience at international level, Matty is also a performance analyst for the England youth setup. His primary role within the Centre of Excellence is managing player progression, as well as overseeing talent ID, acquisition and scouting, working both locally and further afield in schools and community clubs.
Kieron Smith – Lead Tutor & Strength & Conditioning Coach
Kieron is another great example of how the Centre of Excellence brings together staff with a wealth of sport and education experience. A qualified tutor, he oversees our Level 2 programme, whilst as a former professional rugby league player and qualified S&C coach, he also delivers a daily high-performance programme for students.
Richard Tate – Development Coach
Current England Students head coach with a firm understanding of the benefits of a combined rugby and education pathway. His current role also sees him coach the University of Hull rugby league programme, as an extended exit route of the current Centre of Excellence, as well as being active in the local community with Hull FC Foundation.
Daniel Nicholson – Lead Tutor
As a qualified tutor and UEFA B football coach, Dan brings alternative sport experience from the world of football and adds value to our multi-sport programmes. Dan has spent the last 15 years working as part of the successful Hull City Academy.
Sasch Brook – Football & Logistics Manager
A long-serving member of the team for over 20 years, Sasch plays an invaluable role in the day to day operations of the Centre of Excellence.
First-Team Mentors – Marc Sneyd, Gareth Ellis, Kirk Yeaman
Another major benefit of the Centre of Excellence being aligned to the club’s wider rugby pathway, is the influence of key people around the club. Club legends Gareth Ellis and Kirk Yeaman will support the current staff and players as mentors on regular basis, alongside head coach Brett Hodgson who will oversee coaching sessions with the academy and scholarship. Lance Todd Trophy winner Marc Sneyd will also be mentoring the club’s crop of young pivots, giving them invaluable insight from one of the club’s best half backs of the Super League era.
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