Lower Sixth Former Alex Todd has been invited to join the U18 Academy squad of Yorkshire Carnegie, one of Rugby Union’s top northern clubs.
The call-up represents a major leap forward in Alex’s development as a player, and recognises his hard work, the support of his team-mates and the School’s strength and conditioning support.
He will now train with the Yorkshire Carnegie players and coaching staff, and be given a strength and conditioning programme which he’ll work on at school to further accelerate his progress. If called upon to represent Yorkshire Carnegie at U18 level, Alex will play alongside Pocklington Upper Sixth Formers Ben Carlile, currently team captain, and Oliver Rayner.
Alex’s potential as a player was spotted by new Director of Rugby at Pocklington School, Richard Wareham, who brought him into the School’s 1st XV team as an open side flanker. Mr Wareham also flagged up Alex’s talents to the Yorkshire Carnegie Academy, which works in partnership with Pocklington School to nurture talent.
He said: “I have been really impressed by Alex’s athletic potential, game play and game understanding, and I nominated him to Carnegie’s Academy Manager as someone to watch.
“On the back of our games against Giggleswick, Bradford and Woodhouse, Alex was invited to the Academy’s extended squad sessions. He has impressed further within that environment and has now been invited to join the full U18 academy.”
Mr Wareham hopes Alex’s leap forward as a player will inspire other players. He said: “I’m really delighted for him. He’s come from being on the outskirts of the Pocklington School team squad to being at the heart of it in a short space of time, and his Academy call-up is a real first step up into a bigger world. He’s a mature and sensible young man who has balanced his rugby and academic workloads and is on the road to achieve excellence both on and off the pitch.”
He added: “Alex’s achievement is a reflection of everyone’s commitment to do the best for all our students one day, one session and one game at a time. It also shows how the partnership between the Academy and the School is working, in taking someone who has been on the edge of the squads from the lower age groups, and developing and addressing his needs so he can now progress into the senior squads.”
The Yorkshire Carnegie U18 team plays in the Academy League, which is the highest U18 level outside of internationals. Its players are regarded as the best in the country and some have already made their Aviva Premiership debuts.