Malvern College Rugby coaching and pathways support player development at all levels.
The extensive playing fields at Malvern, with the backdrop of the Malvern Hills, provide a magnificent setting for the game of rugby. Throughout the Autumn term we field eight rugby sides and compete in an impressive fixture list.
Overseen by our Master in Charge of Rugby, pupils benefit from a dedicated coaching team, (many of whom are ex-professional players) and a number of external Level 3 coaches and referees.
In the Junior years, boys are taught a full range of core skills with the emphasis placed on safety and development.
We run A and B teams on a weekly basis and all boys are given the chance to compete. We also run a non-contact version of the game which includes Touch Rugby fixtures. Boys are given an opportunity to experience Sevens Rugby in the Spring term.
In the Senior years, basic skills are supplemented with more complex concepts as the boys develop a greater understanding of the game. Boys are encouraged to practice skills specific to their position in their own time and positional clinics are delivered by skill-specific coaches including current professional players.
Senior boys represent the College in a number of prestigious Sevens tournaments culminating with the National Sevens Tournament at Rosslyn Park. In 2023 our Senior Sevens squad reached the quarter final of the Vase Competition. We also won the Silver Salver at the North of England and were tournament winners at the Collegiate Schools Sevens.
We hold strength and conditioning sessions in our free weights gym and boys are provided with personal development programmes which are monitored by rugby staff.
We currently have 17 boys across different age groups involved in the Player Development Groups including RFU Midlands West, Gloucester Rugby and the Independent School’s Lambs Rugby. In 2024, two boys had the unique opportunity in playing in the first ever Barbarians Under 18 team.
The England U20 Rugby team physiotherapist is our resident Physio and delivers weekly clinics.
We want as many players to enjoy the game as possible but are aware that some pupils and parents have concerns surrounding the safety of the sport. We offer different types of games including Touch Rugby, an Adapted Contact Game and Rugby Sevens Touch which are great options for those who have never played rugby or would like to gain confidence in the sport.
All players, no matter their level, need to be supported so they are able to enjoy their sport, and our rugby programme focuses on age-related key performance indicators to develop technical skills and tactical understanding to enhance their competence.
Talent in Rugby is recognised in scholarships at the College at both 13+ and 16+ level. For more information about our scholarships please click here.
