Triumph on Two Fronts: Exeter College Shines in National Rugby and Hockey Championships

The Rosslyn Park 7’s tournament, known as the largest 7-a-side tournament globally, witnessed over 14,000 boys and girls competing fiercely. Among them, two teams from Exeter College entered into the fray, each aiming for glory in their respective categories.

In the Girls U18 ACE competition, dubbed the top tier for girls U18, our blue team geared up for intense battles. Drawn into Pool B against other AoC Performance College teams, including Henley College (Ealing Trailfinders), Loughborough College (Loughborough Lightning), Oaklands College (Saracens Rugby), and Worthing College B (Harlequins), our squad faced rigorous challenges. However, they displayed exceptional skill and fitness, eventually clinching victory against Worthing College A, the Harlequins Academy, in the final with a commanding 20-7 scoreline. Tilly Pulfer’s blazing speed earned her a hat-trick of tries, while Charlotte Wreford’s masterful control and strategic play earned her the title of player of the tournament.

Simultaneously, in the Girls U18 Open competition, our team in pink and black took on the challenge. Placed in Pool K on day one, they fought fiercely, securing a spot in the next round by finishing second, despite a narrow loss to Peter Symonds. Their determination shone through as they progressed to day two, ultimately triumphing in the final against Samuel Whitbread Academy with a 19-5 victory.

Meanwhile, in another sporting arena, Exeter College’s men’s hockey team showcased their prowess in the England Hockey Notts Sport Schools Tier 3 National Championships. After battling through the Devon and West of England rounds, they faced off against the nation’s best.

Their journey to victory was hard-fought. A crucial 2-1 win against Sevenoaks propelled them to the top of the group, with goals from captain Innes Rose-Price and Ronnie Horne securing the victory. Subsequent victories against Royal Russell and Sandbach solidified their place in the elite final. In a nail-biting final showdown, goals from Sol Bloomfield and Zach Simons, coupled with resilient defending from Tristan Peatt and Jacob Murphy, led them to a 2-1 victory over Worksop, clinching the coveted silverware.

Both on the rugby field and the hockey pitch, our teams showcased not only their skill and fitness but also their unwavering determination to emerge victorious, etching their names on numerous trophies of sporting excellence.

Find out more about our Sports Teams at our next Open Event on Wednesday 24 April.

Exeter College Announced as England Rugby Partner College

Exeter College is delighted to announce it has been successful in becoming an England Rugby Partner College. The College is one of only eight colleges that have received partner status, and will act as a flagship college for the South West, representing the region nationally.

John Laramy CBE, Principal and Chief Executive at Exeter College, said;

“We are thrilled to have been announced as an England Rugby Partner College. Our team work incredibly hard to provide training, management, and opportunities for our young rugby players and this is the next step in making sure our provision is exceptional.

“We have a fantastic partnership with the Exeter Chiefs, with our women and men’s rugby academies ensuring our young people are trained in a safe, inclusive environment and are given incredible opportunities. This was the natural next step to ensure we are delivering an outstanding rugby provision to young people in the South West.”

This partner status means that the College will need to adhere to several operating standards which will benefit the programme. This includes utilising the RFU’s coaches, match official training programme, advocating best practise and providing a safe and enjoyable environment for rugby. The partnership will be player-centred, developing young people through the college journey, whilst using the vehicle of rugby to shape positive on and off field behaviours. It is an inclusive provision, providing rugby for all skills, motivations, and genders.

Chris Wall, Sports Academy Manager at Exeter College, said;

“This partner status is great recognition of all the hard work we are doing around our rugby programme at Exeter College. We are looking forward to collaborating with the RFU to introduce new players to the game of rugby and to support talented players on their chosen pathway.

“This is a reflection of all the hard work of our staff over a number of years in providing such a quality product. Our active role within ECRFU (England College RFU), has allowed us to play a pivotal role in shaping the game for our learners and all students across the FE sector. We hope this ‘Partner College status’ will further underpin our provision and enhance identified areas for improvement, continuing to grow our rugby offer for our student population.

“We are incredibly proud of our provision and believe our values align with those of the RFU to produce well-rounded learners who are confident, resilient, and aspirational while teaching respect, teamwork and discipline, plus enjoying the game too!”

To find out more visit Exeter Chiefs Rugby Academy.

Exeter College Men’s U18 Rugby Team become AOC Sport Champions of England and Wales

Last night the Exeter College Men’s U18 rugby squad headed to the home of Exeter Chiefs to play a spectacular final against Ivybridge Community College in the AoC Premier League National Finals, grounding out a victory to retain the AoC Premier League title.

Premiership rugby ground, Sandy Park, was the perfect venue for these two Devon colleges to go to head-to-head in what was an eventful final match and with over 1000 spectators, they did not disappoint.

Academy Coach, Keith Brooking said; “Last night showed how strong age group rugby in Devon is. For two local colleges to get to the final of a national competition is great to see. For the Exeter Chiefs and the AOC to allow the final to be played at Sandy Park was amazing and with a great crowd and atmosphere it highlighted the appetite for age group rugby in the area.

“The actual game was a great final with the result in the balance right until the final whistle and from a coaches point of view it was interesting to see what pressure does to a player. Both teams played their part in a great final with Ivybridge College having the majority of the territory and possession and playing some clever rugby while Exeter College showed their courage in defending their line time and time again.

“From an Exeter Chiefs Academy view point it was excellent to see players from all over the County giving their all on the Sandy Park pitch and you never know we might see some of them on there again at some point.’

Exeter College celebrating winning the AoC Premier League National Finals

With a strong start from both teams, it was clear the teams were evenly matched with neither team giving each other an inch of ground in the first 20 minutes. That soon changed with Ivybridge scoring at 24 mins and by half time it was 5-10 to Ivybridge.

Exeter raced into the second half with renewed vigour and quickly scored again bringing it to 12-10 to Exeter. The next 15 minutes saw Ivybridge camped in the Exeter 22 with Exeter struggling to clear their lines and giving penalties away at the breakdown. However, some spirited defence kept Ivybridge out, and twice they were held up over the line to keep the score line at 12-10.

Ivybridge launched a number of attacks after further penalty infringements and a yellow card for Exeter. However, some more resolute defence and a turnover ball saw an end to the encounter with prop Tom Gulley able to show his footballing skills, kicking the ball into a packed main grandstand at a raucous Sandy Park. A fitting end for Gulley, one of nine second years in the 22-man Exeter squad who pulled on the Exeter College jersey for the last time last night.

Exeter College Coach, Jon Fabian, commented after the game:

“Before the game, we said that we wanted the players to enjoy themselves, be proud of the performance they’ve put in and come back into the changing room with a win. When we look back at the game, we controlled the early possession, but the Ivybridge defence held us out and we eventually found ourselves 10-0 down. It was vital to us to get on the scoreboard just before half-time and this was just what we did with a great move from the back line.

“In the second half, after we scored early on, the territory was controlled in a much better manner by the Ivybridge side, but the fight and character showed by our guys in defence was absolutely amazing. It was this aspect which ultimately decided the result of the game, after Ivybridge spent 20 minutes in our 22 without adding to their first half score line. Although we won the game, a huge amount of credit must go to the Ivybridge side, who played an unbelievable game and showed such huge character.”

Exeter College Men’s U18’s Starting Line Up

Callum Arnold

Jack Ballett (Co-Captain)

Tom Gulley

Jake Martin

Ed Spurway

Sam Putman

Ethan Millard

Charlie Parr

Morgan Stone

Bobby Wigginton

Freddie Bridger

Zack Wimbush

Jeremy Tuima

Jude Baker-Hands

Charlie Groves

Reps:

Louie Gulley (Co-Captain)

Joe Thomson

Harry Rodwell

Pip Burton-Race

James Dodge

Freddie Blackburn

Kofi Firth

Exeter Chiefs Women’s Side Boosts Exeter College Rugby Academy

Exeter College’s Ofsted Outstanding offer to the region’s top young rugby talent received a huge boost with the news that Exeter Chiefs’ newly launched professional women’s side received approval to join the Tyrrell’s Premier 15s League.

The agreement to join the league rubber stamps the launch of Exeter Chiefs’ women’s team and provides fresh impetus to Women’s Rugby Academy at Exeter College.

Exeter College has been offering the Women’s Rugby Academy education provision in partnership with Exeter Chiefs for three years, with students given the chance to pursue a career in professional rugby while receiving exceptional education with the College.

Following on from the success of the Men’s Exeter Chiefs Rugby Academy at Exeter College, the Women’s provision has grown in popularity since its launch three years ago and now almost 50 students are receiving both top class rugby coaching as well as Ofsted Outstanding education.

The creation of a fully-fledged women’s professional rugby side in Exeter has opened new opportunities for the South West’s finest female rugby players to remain in the area and pursue their career in professional sport while also receiving top class post-16 education.

Exeter Chiefs Women’s Head Coach Susie Appleby, who won 65 caps for England during her playing career, said, “It’s an incredibly exciting time to be a young female player in the South West. Exeter College already has an excellent rugby programme, which is crucial to the success of Exeter Chiefs Women.

“Exeter Chiefs will be supporting this programme; our players will be coaching, helping with analysis and also in the gym. We want female players to experience a professional training environment from an early age, and the Exeter College Academy provides this opportunity.

“We hope players graduating from the academy will be the next Exeter Chiefs stepping out on to Sandy Park and ultimately into an England shirt.”

In addition to students’ academic studies with Exeter College, Rugby Academy pupils take part in first-rate training regimes embedded into their timetable to ensure that their sporting prowess matches their academic progression. With state-of-the-art gym facilities opened in 2019, students can also get ahead in the gym when not in the classroom or on the pitch.

Exeter College Sports Academy Manager Chris Wall said, “We’re all thrilled that Exeter Chiefs are forging ahead with their plans for a women’s professional side.

“With the Chiefs’ influence and popularity, I’m hoping that this will not only help inspire our current students about the levels of the sport they can reach, but also help develop that next generation of women’s rugby players and raise their aspirations to a possible career in professional rugby if you’ve got the talent and work ethic.

“Our Academy players will be supporting the roster of players that are available to the Chiefs’ side and will get the chance to really interact and see what it’s like for the current professionals in the game. I can’t wait to see more positive benefits from this partnership come to fruition in the coming years.”

Sports Academy students at Exeter College have varied study options and students travelling from further afield could opt to stay in the College’s Clock Tower boarding accommodation, complete with ensuite bedrooms and communal social spaces. Support on travel is also available through the College’s Travel Scheme and there’s a wide variety of course options available for students taking part in Sports Academies.

If you have applied for the Sports Academy or intend to do so, Exeter College will be holding performance trials once the College reopens and the current situation regarding the Coronavirus pandemic allows it.