Eagles look to establish rugby academy in Sheffield

Sheffield Eagles want to establish a dual-code rugby academy in their city, possibly in partnership with local rugby union clubs.

The Eagles will lead the programme, though, which will build on their burgeoning community work. The club have already partnered with Sheffield Wednesday FC to offer an extended education and community programme.

The club feels that the model which operates in the city of Leeds is a good one to follow. Leeds Rhinos have a well-developed relationship with Yorkshire Carnegie rugby union club, as well as Leeds Metropolitan University.

The Eagles already work closely with Sheffield Hallam University, and operate a joint team with the insitution, the Sheffield Hallam Eagles, who play in the National Conference League South.

“We’re working towards the concept where there will be a rugby academy in Sheffield,” said Ian Annis, community education and development director at the Eagles.

“It would be led by Sheffield Eagles. The idea would be hopefully that we would work with one or more of the local rugby union clubs.

“This is still to be developed further, but discussions are ongoing. In the not-too-distant future we’ll be saying more about that.

“We like the Leeds model, we think that to be quite effective in the Sheffield context.”