The Stourport High School & VIth Form ACE Rugby Programme


The Midlands West ACE Programme is a rugby model for talented 16 to 18 year olds based at The Stourport High School & VIth Form College. The programme provides players with the best opportunity to succeed in the next step of their life, be it professional rugby, university, an apprenticeship or full-time employment.

Want to know more?

Please contact ACE Head Coach, Richard Phillips – rphillips@shs.saet.co.uk

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The players are selected by various pathways and we make a two year commitment to support and develop each player through education and rugby.  All students will combine elite rugby development with level 3 courses within our sixth form whilst receiving the highest level of pastoral care. The Stourport High School & VIth Form College’s ambition is to embed rugby throughout the school and to aspire to have the best state school rugby programme nationally. We are wholeheartedly committed to engaging with the positive ethos and culture associated with the game of rugby including the RFU core values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship.

There are 14 ACE programmes across the country run predominantly by Premiership clubs that form the highly competitive ACE league and provides a real challenge to any promising talent. Stourport VIth Form staff along with Midlands West Academy coaches provide an elite programme which centres around the 6 pillars of development, technical development, tactical understanding, performance analysis, strength and conditioning, mental skills and nutrition. We also provide one to one support in;

  • Position specific training sessions
  • Video analysis
  • Strength and conditioning sessions
  • Rehabilitation and recovery work

The programme suits those players that have aspirations to play at a high level of rugby post 18. We look for players who have the potential to progress in the game and also the determination to get better and improve.


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We are also passionate about developing the whole player, so we don’t just focus on rugby development, but also mental skills and life skills such as cooking classes.

The ACE programme has produced many players that are now playing at a high level, including in the English premiership and in Super BUCS (the highest University division). With our brand new 4G rugby pitch being built, and plans to build a gym the ACE programme will go from strength to strength in 2024 and beyond.

If you’re interested in joining our rugby programme, please contact the Head Coach – Richard Phillips – rphillips@shs.saet.co.uk

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