Playing the 2026/27 season at Under 12s
England’s Elite Youth Rugby Academy
🏉 Creating tomorrow’s rugby stars Welcome to England’s first fully funded Under-12s rugby academy. We fast-track the nation’s most promising young talent toward elite scholarships and professional pathways.
EYR Academy voted the Best Youth Rugby Academy in the UK by the 2026/27 Season Guide.
Elite Youth Rugby Academy
2026/27 Season Results So Far
Our Academy Players
The Elite Youth Rugby (EYR) Academy identifies exceptional Under-12 talent and develops it at one of the UK’s leading National Sports Centres. Our players compete in premier youth fixtures and tournaments at home and abroad, as we build the definitive pathway for England’s next generation of rugby stars.
Our mission
A Launchpad for Future Stars
The EYR Academy develops exceptional rugby players, both on and off the field. Our coaching programme combines the expertise of former England internationals, leading age-group coaches, mentors and sports scientists, backed by cutting-edge performance technology.
We don’t just train players; we build clear pathways to prestigious sports scholarships, premier academy placements and future professional rugby careers.
Our home
Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre
Recognised by UK Sport as an Elite Training Centre, Bisham Abbey plays a key role in developing world-class athletes and supporting Britain’s Olympic and Paralympic programmes.
We train in the same environment used by elite teams such as the England football and rugby squads, the Great Britain hockey team, and international visitors including FC Barcelona. Our players are immersed in a professional setting, surrounded by some of the country’s most talented athletes and high-performance staff.
Train With the Best
Standard youth rugby training is built for the masses, which often leaves the top 10% of players under-challenged. Our Academy identifies these high-potential athletes and places them in a high-performance environment designed for rapid development.
When the best train and play with the best, their growth accelerates, benefiting the player, their teammates, their home club and the grassroots game.
Our coaching team have walked the path to professional sport. They are supported by our business and development teams, safety officers, sports scientists, medical experts and nutritionists, giving our players resources that go far beyond a standard junior set-up, at one of the best training facilities in the country.
2026/27 Season (Under 12s)
EYR Academy breaks new ground. In a landmark moment for the programme, EYR has become the first academy ever admitted into the National Schools All Comers League. We’ll be competing against more than 200 of the country’s strongest rugby schools, and our aim is simple: to challenge for the title.
Campaign schedule: League matches take place on Saturdays, with two fixtures and two training sessions every month. Please note: school or club commitments always take priority over EYR fixtures.
Results & League Table
🏉 Follow our three squads’ results and National Schools League rankings for the 2026/27 season
Fixtures
Next fixture in:
Northern Quadrangular: Woodhouse Grove · GSAL · Pocklington · EYR Academy
12th September ’26
Our season opens in Yorkshire with a four-way festival against three of the North’s most respected rugby schools. Woodhouse Grove, The Grammar School at Leeds and Pocklington all run strong, well-coached age-group programmes with a proud tradition of competitive schoolboy rugby.
With multiple fixtures across the day and game time for every squad, it’s the perfect first look at where this group stands.
Bisham Abbey
19th September ’26 · 5pm–7pm
Royal Alexandra & Albert School · Dulwich Prep · EYR Academy
26th September ’26
Two fixtures, one afternoon. Doubling up means more players pulling on the shirt and more rugby for supporters on the touchline.
Tracing its roots back to 1758, RAAS is one of the UK’s few state boarding schools. Its rugby is shaped by the school’s character-first ethos, and its sides are typically well drilled, physical and hard to break down.
Dulwich Prep has been one of London’s leading boys’ schools for more than 140 years. It runs one of the broadest sports programmes of any UK prep school and has a strong record of national success in both fifteens and sevens.
Ipswich School vs EYR Academy
3rd October ’26
One of the toughest assignments on the calendar. Ipswich School is among the most consistent forces in the schools game: ranked fourth in the country and reigning National U16 champions. A programme that sets the standard others measure themselves against, and a real test of where our players stand.
Bisham Abbey
17th October ’26 · 5pm–7pm
Bisham Abbey
24th October ’26 · 5pm–7pm
Best of England 
vs 
Best of Scotland
31st October ’26
Two nations, one day. We head north of the border for our biggest test yet. Scotland’s side will be drawn from three of the country’s leading rugby schools, Stewart’s Melville (ESMS), Edinburgh Academy and George Watson’s College, each with a long record of producing quality players.
Lining up opposite them will be the best of our Academy, selected from clubs across England and proudly wearing the rose. This one is about more than the scoreboard: it’s about pride, representing your country and earning the right to be called the best.
Lord Wandsworth College vs EYR Academy
7th November ’26
A visit to one of English rugby’s most famous nurseries. Lord Wandsworth College is where Jonny Wilkinson learned his craft before going on to win the World Cup, and the Hampshire school has kept producing high-calibre players ever since. Proper rugby pedigree, and a fixture our players will remember.
Haileybury · EYR Academy
14th November ’26
Haileybury’s High-Performance Sports Programme is led by Director of Rugby Michael Owen, the former Wales captain and British & Irish Lion, supported by a coaching team of more than 20. The school’s alumni include England captain Jamie George, Nick Isiekwe and Chris Wyles, and its age-group sides play with real structure and confidence.
Royal Hospital School · EYR Academy
14th November ’26
Set on a 200-acre campus overlooking the River Stour in Suffolk, the Royal Hospital School has 96 acres of playing fields, an all-weather pitch and a dedicated strength and conditioning suite. Its link with the Northampton Saints Academy gives talented pupils a clear route into elite rugby, and its teams reflect that ambition.
Bisham Abbey
21st November ’26 · 5pm–7pm
Felsted School vs EYR Academy
28th November ’26
A meeting with one of the heavyweights of the schools game. Felsted is an official Saracens partner school and reigning champions of the Continental Tyres National Schools competition, with a track record of producing international players. Expect fast, clinical, high-intensity rugby: a genuine benchmark for our squad.
Bedford School vs EYR Academy
5th December ’26
They dont come any bigger than this, as the current Beford under 12s team has been breaking all sorts of records – and are now 2 and a half season undefeated. Something has to give as two giants come up against each other.
Bisham Abbey
12th December ’26 · 5pm–7pm
Bisham Abbey
19th December ’26 · 5pm–7pm
Bisham Abbey
9th January ’27 · 5pm–7pm
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Latymer Upper School vs EYR Academy
23rd January ’27
We take on one of London’s top sporting schools. From its base on the banks of the Thames in Hammersmith, Latymer Upper has built a strong rugby tradition, with recent old boys selected for international and national U18 squads. Their sides play quick, ambitious rugby, so this will test our skill, decision-making and resilience.
Bisham Abbey
30th January ’27 · 5pm–7pm
Vesey 500 Invitational 7s
20th March ’27
With no Rosslyn Park 7s for the Under 12s this year, the Vesey 500 Invitational is set to be one of the biggest schools sevens events in the country. The tournament celebrates the 500th anniversary of Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School, one of England’s oldest schools, and has attracted strong rugby schools from right across the country.
EYR Academy has been drawn in the Tier 1 group alongside some of the leading programmes in the country, including Northampton School for Boys and King’s. A brilliant chance for our players to test themselves on the big stage.
Best of England vs 
Best of Wales
11th April ’27
One of the biggest days in the grassroots calendar, with more than 1,000 young players from clubs on both sides of the border. The Under 12s compete in a full tournament, with one side lifting the trophy as the top Anglo-Welsh team of the day. Will it be EYR?
London Irish International Under 12s Festival
24th April ’27
London Irish Amateur RFC opens its gates for its International Under 12 Rugby Festival, the opening day of one of the biggest youth rugby weekends in Europe. Under 12 sides from England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and mainland Europe come together for a day of competitive rugby, with around 2,000 young players taking part across the weekend.
Running for more than four decades, the festival is where many young players get their first taste of international opposition.
England’s Elite Youth Rugby Academy will be playing in Florida’s Tropical 7s
March ’29
It’s the biggest tournament in America. No English team has ever won it, and we’re building a team ready to be the first. America, we are coming for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age group is this programme for?
U12. This intake is designed specifically for players entering the Under-12s category for the 2026/27 season.
We welcome exceptional players playing up an age group where appropriate, but we do not permit older players to play down.
Following the successful completion of this pilot phase, we plan to expand the programme to additional age groups.
Does your Academy charge a fee?
NO. If your child secures a place in the Academy, participation is fully funded. This covers access to all training facilities, equipment, professional coaching and support staff.
Selected players are only responsible for buying their personal Academy kit, which costs approximately £60.
For international matches and overseas tournaments, costs are significantly subsidised by our corporate sponsors.
When are the next trials?
THE TRIALS ARE NOW COMPLETE. Thank you to the 400+ players from across the country who trialled with us.
The final squad of 65, representing 41 different clubs from across Britain, has now been selected.
When do you train?
TWICE A MONTH. Each session lasts two hours and focuses on high-intensity, advanced rugby development.
Rather than basic skills, our sessions are built around advanced rugby concepts, decision-making and game understanding, developing intelligent, adaptable “thinking players” who can read the game and make better decisions under pressure.
We also hold high-performance training camps ahead of major fixtures and international tournaments, alongside dedicated team-building events.
Who are the coaches?
Our coaching staff features seven age-group head coaches from top clubs across four counties, all holding senior RFU qualifications. The team includes former England internationals, Olympians and sports scientists.
Who is your Academy Manager?
Tony Baxter leads the Academy, having lived the exact pathway we offer our players: from grassroots rugby through to a professional playing contract and running out at Twickenham.
Raised partly in America, Tony experienced the US collegiate sports scholarship system first-hand, which shapes the Academy’s own approach to elite pathways. Representative sport runs in the family: Tony, his mother and his sister have all represented England.
He holds England (RFU) coaching qualifications alongside an FC Barcelona football coaching badge, and was formerly Head Coach at Henley Hawks before joining EYR to build and lead the Academy.
Beyond EYR, Tony consults for and represents over 100 professional athletes and clubs, from Premier League football clubs such as Manchester City to elite boxers including Amir Khan, advising on performance, training and business development.
Do you train in the holidays?
YES. We run a 50-week, year-round development programme. During school holidays we host specialist camps and development clinics. These are optional, to respect family commitments.
When do you play matches?
Matches are played on Saturdays. We field three competitive squads (A, B and C) alongside a dedicated Development squad, to make sure everyone gets quality game time.
Who do you play against?
Our fixtures are against leading independent schools, high-profile international tournaments and exhibition matches against elite regional select sides.
In the 2026/27 season we play in the National SOCS All Comers League for Boys U12. We are the first academy ever to join the league, competing against the biggest rugby schools in the country.
How does your programme differ from club rugby?
We specialise in elite schoolboy rugby, the primary pathway for professional talent; around 80% of England’s international players come through this system. You will compete against the highest-calibre schools and the most promising young players in the country.
Our matches are 50 minutes of high-intensity, fiercely competitive rugby, built on disciplined organisation and a fast-paced style of play.
Beyond the physical game, we develop “thinking players”. You will learn advanced tactical concepts, our professional-grade playbook and sophisticated game strategies.
The focus is on system-based play: trusting the structures and the players around you. We emphasise decision-making, ball retention and well-executed phase rugby.
Why do you not play against RFU clubs?
To ensure consistent progression, we select opponents that match the Academy’s physical and technical standards. Standard club sides often don’t provide the level of competition needed to push our players.
Is this for boys and girls?
Our programme is open to both boys and girls up to U12. From U12 onwards, girls move into girls-only competitive rugby. They are welcome to continue elite skills training in our mixed sessions, but cannot play in the boys’ match-day squads.
Do I need to leave my current club or school team?
NO. Our programme complements your local club, and we encourage players to keep representing their home clubs. We avoid Sunday sessions to prevent fixture clashes.
If you are selected for a school match on a Saturday, it should take priority over the Academy fixture.
Who is behind Elite Youth Rugby?
The Academy is operated by The Sincura Group. With a history of supporting over 130 professional teams across the Premier League, NBA and NFL, Sincura has pledged £250,000 to nurture the next generation of English rugby talent.
Are you insured?
YES. Elite Youth Rugby holds comprehensive insurance through Howden. Full policy documentation is available on request.
Are you part of the RFU?
NO. We are an independent academy. However, all our coaches are RFU-trained, and we uphold the game’s core values (TREDS): Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship.
The RFU says you shouldn’t “stream” players. What is your position?
The RFU focuses on mass inclusivity at primary level, and we respect that. Our view is that high-potential athletes also benefit from training alongside peers of similar ability. Our programme is tailored to “Category A” (top 10%) players, providing a high-tempo environment that mixed-ability set-ups find hard to match.
I would like to get my school involved
Partnering with the Academy raises your school’s sporting profile. Partner schools receive website features, digital promotion packs and exclusive event invitations. Contact us for a School Partnership pack.
I would like to coach
JOIN US: We are looking for the nation’s top coaching talent. Applicants must have senior playing experience, hold a current age-group coaching role and be RFU qualified (ERCA).
REWARDS: Coaches receive professional kit, and their children receive an automatic Academy place (tournament selection remains merit-based).
How can I contact you?
Registered members receive access to a private WhatsApp group and a direct line to their dedicated mentor.
