Bradford College and the Bradford
Bulls launch of New Rugby League Academy

The Rugby League Academy, an exciting new venture between Bradford College and the Bradford Bulls Rugby League Club will be launched with an event at Odsal Stadium, the home of the Bulls, on Wednesday 18th August.

The Academy will be officially launched at Odsal Stadium with presentations from Chris Caisley, Bradford Bulls Chairman, Brian Noble, Head Coach of the Bradford Bulls and Gt. Britain, Margaret Coleman, Executive Director of the Learning and Skills Council for West Yorkshire and the new Bradford College Principal, Michele Sutton.

The Rugby League Academy, which has been endorsed by the sport?s governing body the Rugby Football League, will offer talented young sportspeople aged 16 and above the chance to combine rugby training with academic studies.

The first cohort of students will enrol on the Academy this September. They will study at Bradford College for nationally recognised qualifications on full time courses such as the National Diploma and Certificate in Sport. In addition, students will benefit from the expert coaching provided by World Club Champions, the Bradford Bulls.

The partnership will allow young sportspeople who have real potential to make a rugby career to remain in education in order to further develop their knowledge and skills for the future at the same time as having access to the elite provision from the Bradford Bulls. In addition to studying full time and training with Bradford Bulls staff, students of the Academy will attend work placements through the Award Winning Bulls Community Programme.

"We are delighted to be involved in this unique partnership with Bradford College. Together we'll be able to use sporting and educational excellence to assist in the continued regeneration of the city and district. The Rugby League Academy also represents a huge opportunity to develop Rugby League throughout Yorkshire,? said Chris Caisley, Bradford Bulls Chairman.

The launch will be attended by individuals from local councils, sports bodies, local businesses and education establishments from the West Yorkshire district, who will also be able to observe the coaching sessions that Academy students will experience from the Bulls staff. The aim of the event is to raise the profile of the Academy and to help encourage people?s involvement in making the Academy a success.

Michele Sutton said, ?It gives me great pleasure, as one of my first duties as Principal of Bradford College, to launch the Rugby League Academy. This innovative partnership will offer talented young sportspeople a unique opportunity to combine rugby training with academic studies delivered by an elite level of sports development and coaching by rugby league professionals and experienced and expert College staff. I see this as just the start of an exciting new sports development in Bradford.?