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Talent Discovery Phase: Emerging Player Programme (14 – 16)
In 2023 the Welsh rugby union, as part of the talent pathway reform in Wales, introduced the emerging player program for boys aged 14 to 16 years old.
The Emerging player program is a two-year journey that involves players attending locally delivered skill centres in year 1 before participating in the Dewar shield competition in year 2 before progressing to regional age grade rugby.
The EPP is designed to engage 1,500 players (20% of registered players in the district) aged 14 (U15) – 16 (U16). It is a development-led programme whose purpose is to develop player readiness for their next stage whether that be within the Regional Academy, local Club, College, or School.
As a key component of the Welsh Rugby Union’s strategic reform of the player pathway to create ‘more and better players’ for the professional and community game in Wales, the prestigious Dewar Shield has now been formally integrated into the regional pathway, meaning it is now contested at U16 (Year 11) level.
The revamp means there is now a 22-month programme of development for emerging players between 14 and 16 years old (U15 and U16) and as part of the wider ongoing player pathway reform, the newly introduced Emerging Player Programme (EPP) is being led by the regions, supported by the WRU, and delivered locally across 24 schools districts in Wales.
Watch the following video to see what was achieved in the first year of the programme.
Watch the following video (Welsh) to see what was achieved in the first year of the programme.
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