Kingston Park hosts Developing Player Programme festival
The first ever Developing Player Programme festival is set to take place from 12-4pm on Sunday the 8th November at Kingston Park as a group of talented young players take part in the graduation festival.
The 12-a-side DPP festival will feature ten District teams from across the region, comprised of four from Northumbria, three from Cumbria and three from Durham.
The programme consists of a three way partnership between the RFU, The Falcons and the three Counties designed to effectively develop the emerging young talent in the region.
Falcons academy Manager Mark Laycock said: “This is the first time we have run this event. It signals the end of the DPP for this particular set of young players and provides the first opportunity for the Falcons to see the best players in the region playing on one platform.”
“It’s a great event as it gives the players the opportunity to play against people they won’t have played against before and after this the players will filter into their relevant County programmes to take them into the new year.”
The Developing Player Programme is designed to provide a high quality individualised player development experience, encouraging lifelong participation in the game and enabling those with potential to be clearly identified.
Throughout the course of the programme, the players train with their districts once a month to develop core skills and game understanding between the ages of 13 and 15. The programme marks the first step on the ladder for many of those looking for a place in the Falcons academy.
The festival will provide the players with an opportunity to put into practice what they have leaned in training as they conclude their tenure in the programme.
