Gosforth Academy Sixth Form and Newcastle Falcons RFC have enjoyed a strong and robust partnership for over a decade. This relationship has developed to provide a highly successful programme that has various aspects with real benefits in terms of progression and experience for those involved.

Although students are selected and invited to join the ACE programme, we also welcome students coming from other schools to take part in the wider rugby-related activities that take place in the school.

The ACE programme was initially developed by the RFU and Skills Active to provide talented young rugby players with an opportunity to enhance their rugby development whilst continuing in education. The Newcastle Falcons ACE Programme is based within the Sixth Form at Gosforth Academy.

Players on the ACE Programme will complete a formal education in rugby, alongside their main A Level/BTEC/CTEC courses and can expect up to 12 hours of rugby development per week built into their school timetable. The programme is co-ordinated and supported by the Newcastle Falcons Academy and has a highly competitive playing programme in the ACE League. Recruitment takes place each year during the player’s U16 season and the experience shows that the level of value added whilst a player is on the ACE Programme far outweighs any programme in the region, a fact borne out by us currently having 5 England Academy Players (EAPs) vying for full England U18 honours this year.

Previous participants in the programme include George McGuigan, Callum Chick and Jamie Blamire who have all become regulars for the Newcastle Falcons, with Callum and Jamie recently being capped by the senior England team, as well as a host of others achieving scholarship or professional contracts with the club. In the past two seasons this has included Luke Coulston, Ben Douglas, Nathan Greenwood, Micky Rewcastle and Jeremy Civil, most of whom came to the Sixth Form from other schools.

All students who are enrolled onto the ACE Programme enjoy timetabled lessons focused on performance analysis, the development of skills, and various training activities under the management of a dedicated, full-time Rugby Professional. They also take part in the prestigious RFU ACE League, where the team has reached the National Finals on a number of occasions. Students on the ACE Programme have access to coaching and facilities both at school and at Kingston Park through the Newcastle Falcons.

Training and Matches

Rugby training during a school day takes place at Gosforth Academy on either our dedicated grass pitch or the 3G. We train in the gym twice weekly at Kingston Park Stadium, the home of the Newcastle Falcons, and this is also where we play all our home fixtures in the RFU ACE League.

Information regarding fixtures and upcoming events is placed on the ACE Instagram account @falconsace and also on the Sixth Form Instagram account @gosforthsixthform

Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DiSE)

The Diploma in Sporting Excellence is a qualification specifically designed for learners with an opportunity to be assessed on their ability to work towards and fulfil the role and requirements of an elite sports performer.

The qualification is aimed at talented rugby players identified by the RFU and Newcastle Falcons Academy who have joined the ACE Programme in order to compete at the highest level. Within rugby the DiSE is designed and intended for those who are currently within the Newcastle Falcons Academy structure and identified within their Player Development Group (PDG).

The purpose of the DiSE is to confirm competence within the elite sports arena, specifically the training environment, for both the practical and theoretical elements underpinned by a range of competency based evidence. DiSE recruits players of potential to achieve the stated successful outcomes. Each player will be required to follow a personal rugby development programme which should include annual planning and include:

• An active playing role
• Strength/conditioning and recovery
• Technical and tactical aspects relating to each individual’s position
• Off-field theory session
• Team Preparation training & meetings & mental preparation
• On field coaching and match play

DiSE is assessed as a Pass or Fail grading scheme with those passing the qualification being awarded 64 UCAS points at those universities that accept the qualification. Students completing DiSE will usually study two other subjects.

Level 3 Qualification in Sports Leadership

As part of their development ACE players are expected to complete the Level 3 Qualification in Sports Leadership (more commonly known as the Higher Sports Leaders qualification) which carries 16 UCAS points. Students are required to plan and lead 14 hours of coaching within their community, organise a sporting event and complete written assignments.

The qualification is completed within timetabled rugby hours in Year 12 following the completion of the RFU ACE League in December, although some coaching hours are completed outside of school.