Colleges

The Ospreys colleges initiative is an enhanced working relationship with the further education colleges across the region, aiming to help to ensure constant flow of quality young players through the system.

The programme is operated in conjunction with the three further education colleges within the region, Bridgend College, Neath Port Talbot College and Gower College Swansea, with all three establishments working closely with the Ospreys' Elite Youth Development department to provide an unrivalled rugby programme at each of their campuses.

Overseen by Regional Performance Development Manager, Andrew Millward, Ospreys staff will provide support and assistance to the college coaches, who in turn will follow a specially created development plan to allow them to enhance their own skills. The programme focuses on coach and player development, following the Ospreys philosophy and system of rugby to create a stronger sense of regional identity.

The partnership will see a core group of age-grade players based at their local college where they will continue with their education alongside a newly created rugby programme. Each week they will participate in two rugby sessions, a conditioning session and a workshop that will alternately cover nutrition, medical, welfare and analysis. In addition to college coaching staff, the Ospreys will make available a conditioning coach, a nutritionist and elite youth development coaches to assist with the delivery of the programme.

In addition to competing in the Welsh National Colleges League, the trio will also participate in a new Ospreys Colleges competition played at Premiership grounds in the region, with the top two competing for the Cuddy Cup in a one off final.

The colleges will also be supplied with brand new Kooga playing strip that will incorporate Ospreys branding, as well as that of their associates Sony UK Technology Centre in Pencoed, and Italian clothing brand Freee - Back to Life, both of whom are supporting the initiative.