PUBLISHED 10 July 2023
AKS rugby programme continues to show success with over 73 games played across all age groups and competing in 16, 7 a side competition. With the addition of Mr Daws into the programme, this has seen a great emphasis on further developing individual skills and position-specific clinics, as well as the continued strength and conditioning programme. When reviewing the season this has been the most successful season to date for AKS rugby.
Highlights from the season include the summer tour to South Africa, which saw huge development in the senior squad and resulted in the U16’s winning the Lancashire Cup, beating Wade Deacon in the final. Along with the 1st XV having an extremely successful season only losing to 2 teams all season and the squad often containing 7 U16 players.
The U15s season has been one of discovery, growth and self-belief and they have made great strides forward in their development. The squad had strong cup runs in the National Vase and the Lancashire Cup gaining momentum into the end of the season. This form continued into the 7-a-side seasons where they were winners of the Bolton 7’s.
This season will be remembered as a year of learning, growth and development for our U14 Rugby team - both as players and people. The squad put a great deal of emphasis on their individual skill which allowed them to compete with some powerful teams throughout the course of the season. A notable win against Giggleswick and Scarisbrick, where the team scored some scintillating tries. In the 7’s season the squad participated in Rosslyn Park National 7’s growing into the competition and despite losing to the group winners played outstanding in their final game.
Throughout the season the 13s showed fantastic commitment to training and this allowed them to continuously improve and challenge each other to become better. Notable games against St Mary’s Crosby and Hutton Grammar, saw the team overcome much more physical opponents and use their skills to attack and find space.
The U12 had a very successful year with 26 boys representing AKS this season across A and B team fixtures. In October the squad travelled to Llandudno on the annual tour, playing fixtures against St David's College and Wirral Grammar School. This experience solidified the squad and set them up for a fantastic season only losing 2 games all season. Notable performances against Hutton, which saw the squad move the ball into space and play around a big physical Hutton side. The squad finished the season on a high winning Bury 7’s with an exceptional performance against Cheadle Hulme in the final.
As well as team success there have been a number of representative honours, with 1st XV Captain Daniel playing U18s Lancashire, Cameron, Max and Reece representing Lancashire U17’s and Ben, Jasper and Sam gaining Lancashire U16s honours.
In the Sale Sharks DPP, AKS has been well represented with 9 players involved in the programme, with William Wyles recently being selected for the SDG which is the next level of the Academy. We wish these players all the best in their development programmes next season.
Beyond School, Tristan Woodman, who left us last year, to become full-time rugby player at Sale Sharks, continues his path through England representative rugby. Since graduation from AKS, Tristan has captained England U19’s and represented England U20s in the 6 Nations a year young. In addition, Tristan recently captained the U20’s in their pre-World Cup tour to Georgia and went to South Africa for the opening game against Ireland in May. This is a great inspiration to the players in the AKS rugby programme and there are many students working hard to follow in his footsteps.
Thank you to all our coaches, and to our parents for their continued support.