St Helens College Rugby League Academy is launched!

St Helens College Rugby League Academy touches down

Sports students at St Helens College are set to tackle the rigours of rugby league following an exclusive new partnership deal with Saints RLFC.

From September 2025, sports students at the College will have a unique opportunity to train like professional rugby league players through the creation of the St Helens College Rugby League Academy, in partnership with Saints Community Development Foundation.

The St Helens College Rugby League Academy will create a squad of 20 students who have a passion for rugby league and wish to combine playing the sport they love alongside studying a level 2 or 3 sports qualification. This can lead students to university, an apprenticeship, employment… or even a career in rugby league!

The Academy will provide an unrivalled opportunity for students to benefit from:

• Professional coaching from St Helens RLFC coaches
• Competitive league matches
• Strength and conditioning training
• Diet and nutrition education
• Branded sports kit
• Potential progression opportunities with St Helens RLFC

Simon Pierce, Chief Executive and Principal at St Helens College, said:

“We are delighted to be partnering with Saints Community Development Foundation on this new initiative. The creation of the St Helens Rugby League Academy is a fantastic new programme that brings together two big-hitting organisations from within St Helens for the benefit of our young people. We are confident this programme will be a big success!” 

Mathew Gartland, Director of Curriculum at St Helens College, said:

“Many of our students are passionate Saints supporters, so being able to offer them the chance to experience the blood, sweat and tears that goes into becoming a great rugby player and for them to have the opportunity to interact with Saints players is just brilliant. We are very excited by this partnership and how it will inspire our students.”

The Academy is open to males, aged 16-18, and although previous experience in rugby is beneficial, it is not essential to join the course. As the partnership develops, it is hoped this will extend to females aged 16-18 in the future.

Steve Leonard, Director of the Saints Community Development Foundation, commented on the announcement:

“Very high on the agenda for the Foundation is supporting the youth of our community. To do this you need great people around you and supporting you, St Helens College fits this perfectly.”

“Together we are going to provide opportunities for people to combine both their educational ambitions and their sporting ambitions. There have never been so many ways to represent our country and town in Rugby League and our aim is to provide a pathway for each individual to go as far down as their commitment, skill and dedication can take them. It will be challenging and tough at times but as they say the hardest earned are the most rewarding things we cherish in life.”