Rugby League Coaching Manuals

Castleford Tigers are proud to announce that we are teaming up with two major education providers in the region. The Tigers Education Link will see players within our development structure given expert guidance and advice from both Pontefract New College and Wakefield Thornes Park College, as they consider the various options relating to their higher education.

Players will be offered the opportunity to join Pontefract New College’s talented athlete scholarship scheme or the rugby league development centre at Thornes Park, and as part of the link both these ‘avenues’ will enable our top young players to combine their studies with the demands of training and playing professional rugby league.

Player Performance Manager Tim Rumford takes up the story: “ When I was put in place as PPM at the club I quickly established that this was an area we needed to address, many of our scholarship and academy players are very bright young men who often become torn between further education and following their dream of playing professional rugby.

These links will allow the colleges to access our elite youngsters, assist them with their choices and take them through the various options open to them.

“Before the players take up their courses the club and the college will then work to co-ordinate players club commitments with their college activities, this enables the players to concentrate hard on their studies whilst still putting 100% effort in to their development as elite players.”

Jenny Taylor from Pontefract New College added: “ A link such as this has great benefits to both parties and its something we have been keen to implement for some time.

"Elite athletes often neglect their education in order to follow their sports ambitions, it’s a very responsible move by the club and it’s refreshing to know that the club is looking after players education as part of their development.

"Pontefract New College is rapidly becoming more and more sports orientated, we have various teams playing in the National College Leagues and our rugby league side has made it to Carnegie Cup semis this year.

“We are delighted to have agreed this link with the Tigers, in the coming weeks we will be unveiling a plaque in our reception area to mark the beginning of what we believe can be a very productive partnership our local Super League club.

"With a vast array of recreational activities and our continued success with ‘A’ level students, the college has a broad range of opportunities for everyone.”

Tigers CEO Richard Wright also sees the value in the new education link: “ These links have massive benefits for the club and the colleges but more importantly our young players are the real winners here. Thornes Park College have a great reputation for their rugby league development centre and Pontefract New College is regarded as one of the regions top further education facilities.

“Both are very ambitious to develop in every department and sports related studies are becoming a real cornerstone of the colleges education packages, this makes the both Pontefract New collage and Thornes park ideal education partners for our Club and a very attractive proposition for young athletes.”