Newcastle Falcons Academy seeking expression of interest for a second state school partnership

Tuesday 28 January 2025 Written by: Tom Grisedale

Newcastle Falcons are seeking expressions of interest from further education institutions around the region to form a new state school partnership with the club.

We have a very successful state school partnership with Gosforth Academy which has produced players such as George McGuigan (Durham), Jamie Blamire (Cumbria) and current club captain Callum Chick (Northumberland). We would like to build on this success by introducing a second partnership programme from September 2025 to provide more opportunities for more young people to fulfil their academic and sporting potential.

As part of the new Professional Game Partnership, Academies are being encouraged to diversify their talent pools to make rugby more accessible and there is now a minimum requirement of two state school partnerships per academy.

We have recently acquired Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland into our catchment area, making South Durham an ideal location based on relative population density, engagement levels in youth rugby and geographical distance from our existing programme. However, we will accept expressions of interest from schools and colleges across the region, provided they meet the following criteria:

  • Must be based within Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Cumbria, Durham or the Tees Valley.
  • Must provide a range of academic options for boys aged 16-18.
  • Must not be an independent school.
  • Must not be in competition with our existing state school partner.
  • Must have ambitions to develop an elite level rugby programme.

For more information or to express interest in becoming a state school partner with Newcastle Rugby Ltd, schools or colleges should contact:

James Ponton

Newcastle Falcons head of academy.

james.ponton@newcastle-falcons.co.uk | 07775 850 986.

Following an initial phone consultation, your school or college may be shortlisted and invited to provide additional information as a formal tender application.

Deadline for expression of interest: 5pm on Friday February 14, 2025.

Deadline for tender applications: 5pm on Friday February 21, 2025.

Decision expected: March 2025.

Planning and recruitment begins: April 2025.

Partnership officially begins: July 2025.

Programme starts: September 2025