Rugby

Rugby at Stowe has evolved over recent years becoming a huge attraction for would be Rugby enthusiasts, whether they are seeking a professional career in the game or simply enjoying participating at their own level. We provide for all and believe the coaching structure helps players of all ability to achieve their maximum potential. As a result our fixture list has developed into a extremely competitive program which stretches our intake. Often they are much larger schools than us and do require some travel, but the results

are extremely encouraging. We field 5 Senior teams and 3 or 4 Junior teams at each U16, U15 and U14 level. Our U14s play Rugby in the Lent term affording them the opportunity to work with our top age group coaches in the second term so the platform from which we wish them to build their development is solid and reflects our style of play when they reach the sixth form. All our teams have two members of staff coaching them during the week. We currently have three staff members who are themselves former 1st XV coaches at their previous schools, a former European Cup winning coach, the Oxford University Greyhounds coach all headed up by Alan Hughes the former England U18 Head Coach.

Performance Players
For our top teams all of our fixtures are Daily Mail Schools Trophy status and we currently enter the biggest national knock out trophy, the Nat West Cup at both U18 and U15 level. We are also the current holders of the Rosslyn Park National 7s Trophy.

As an extension to this, we now regularly have a number of boys representing their country at U16 and U18 level. Likewise we provide the opportunity for a number to go on to sign professional contracts and obtain favourable offers at their preferred choice of University. We are very fortunate to have strong relationships with both Northampton Saints and Wasps. Boys selected by these clubs attend their DPP and EPDG evening training sessions which gives them and excellent window into the outside world and a measure of the standard that needs to be achieved to be successful.

Internally we also run a Stowe Sport Performance Programme across all sports at Stowe.

Rugby as a passion

Some of our best results come from our lower teams. This 2015/16 season we celebrated an unbeaten 3rd XV winning with a Barbarian style flair. From A to D we run full fixture lists and celebrate performance, commitment and importantly passion and enjoyment. Rugby is a game that brings out the best in the individual behaving as a team player. We coach to develop the mind, to overcome obstacles and to make decisions, as an extension of our entire academic and pastoral programme.

Master in charge: Mr Alan Hughes