Rugby

The great strength of sport and rugby at Downside is the opportunity to step away from daily challenges. Our focus on player development and teamwork provides an environment for interaction and reliance on one another, and from this our rugby union and touch rugby players derive their enjoyment. These experiences test the character of all involved and as a result, we hope for greater understanding of self and others.

Throughout the Michaelmas term, over 130 Downside students participate in one of nine representative teams, in either rugby union or touch rugby, followed by an extensive rugby seven’s programme in the Lent term. Sport is a vital part of school life and for those who play rugby, the game is rooted in a solid foundation of values. This sense of comradery and dedication guides the behaviours of every teacher, coach, parent, and student involved in Downside rugby. There are opportunities for individual sessions with one of our many highly qualified coaches, focusing on skill development and decision making. Alongside this a comprehensive strength and conditioning programme supports those on our Athlete Development Programme.

Having hosted DPP trials and subsequent age group Academy training sessions & U18 Academy fixtures at the school, Downside has gone on to develop strong links with the Bath Rugby Academy, with the Farleigh House training base only 20 minutes away from Downside. Downside has had pupils involved in the Bath Rugby Academy Developing Player Pathway and Elite Player Group, including four players in the U18 Academy Squad in 2022 – with one being made an England Academy Player and achieving a contract to join the Senior Academy. Several Downside rugby staff work as Bath Academy & Somerset County coaches, providing invaluable support for pupils attending weekly external pathway training. Pupils achieve County age group representation at U16 and U18 level and have also been selected for the Independent Schools Lambs XV. The National Schools U18 Vase competition is entered annually, with the 1st XV reaching the ¼ Finals in 2016. The school enters numerous SW regional 7’s rugby tournaments for U14, U15 & U18 level, with the 1st VII qualifying to day two of the National Schools 7’s at Rosslyn Park in each of the last four competitions. In partnership with Bristol Bears Ladies & Somerset Ladies rugby, Downside has hosted Divisional Festivals, with girls County Age Group sides at U15 and U18 age level from Devon, Cornwall, Dorset & Wilts, Oxfordshire and Hampshire. Training taster sessions for girls’ rugby meet a desire from pupils to also experience the sport. Alumni are playing BUCS 1st XV for Exeter, Cardiff Met and Leeds Beckett Universities and pupils have gained international playing honours, including Wales U18 (2019), Scotland U21 (2022) and Gibraltar U21 (2019).

MAX GAUNTLETT
Rugby Development Lead Coach, Level 2
MGauntlett@downside.co.uk